VBG or Lap Band?

(deactivated member)
on 10/4/10 1:34 am - Leesburg, VA
VSG on 05/03/11 with
I think I already know the answer to my question but will ask anyway. My insurance will pay for Gastric bypass, gastric banding and/or Lap band. I don't love the idea of a lap band and I want a permanent change. So Im leaning towards the vertical gastric banding which is most similar to the VSG I wanted to get.

What would you recomend?
Lori D.
on 10/5/10 1:25 am - Carrollton, TX
I had VBG Dec 13, 1999, my starting weight was 262, I lost 105 lbs in 2 years. Fast forward to the year 2010, I have now gained back all but 40 lbs. VBG is not permanent, and nethier is banding ( my aunt and cousin are still several obese after 2 years of lap band).  I am currently waiting on insurance approval for bypass. I wanted bypass back in 1999, but the surgeon that I wanted to use did not do bypass back then. I wish I had been patient and explored other surgeons. I slightly regret having VBG, but if I didn't do it I wold be scared to even think about what I would weigh now.

Follow your heart--- you know what is right for you. Make good use of whichever tool that you decide to use in your journey to a healthy life.
            
Bobbie D.
on 10/7/10 10:24 pm
I had VBG in April of 2000. I lost 100 in a year and put it all back on over the next 5-7 years. I just revised to RNY and so far am very happy. I couldn't eat any meat after VBG without getting stuck. I already can eat meat and nothing has felt stuck. With this result I should be able to get in my protein instead of resorting to easier slider foods for sustinence. My surgeon doesn't even do VBG anymore as the success rate is very low with it.

Good luck in whatever you decide.
        
jennay80
on 11/4/10 12:16 pm - Elmore, OH
 What does it mean when you say you got "stuck"?  Can you briefly share your experience with the RNY?  Like did insurance cover it easily, how many days in the hospital, what was recovery like, and how does it affect you now?  How much can you eat, do you have to take medications your whole life and what cant you eat?  Thanks,
Jen
Marisol C.
on 10/13/10 12:38 am - Stamford, CT
I had a VGB over 7yrs ago.. started at 280lbs lost 135lbs and have managed to keep it off.. however it's not without its side effects.. a lot of vomiting, a lot of heart burn.. and major life changes.

When it comes to these surgeries there is no 100% gaurentee.  I know a few people who've had the RNY and have gained it back and have had to have revisions.. truth is it's not an easy way out and will take a lot of work on your part whatever you choose.

With the VBG aside from the vomiting, heart burn I was told I would gain it back within 3 yrs and would only lose 70lbs if that so far so good.  Research research and good luck to you.
What An Amazing Journey I've Had
Start Weight 280lbs
Goal Weight 190lbs
Current Weight 145lbs
Blog www.mystilettos.wordpress.com
Bruce S.
on 10/15/10 6:35 am - Portland, TN
Now i am confused and maybe those that have had it can help, what are the differences in the vgb and vsg?
Jersey Girl
on 10/18/10 11:34 am
The Verticle Sleve Gastrectomy is a restrictive procedure that cuts the stomach in the shape similar to a banana, thus creating a sleve.  You lose weight due to having a smaller stomach.

The Verticle Banded Gastroplasty creates a small pouch with a staple line and a band is placed under the staples.  You lose weight because the pouch only holds a small amount of food at a time and you'll feel full until the food passes through the band. 

In both cases the intestinal tract remains intact and, there will be pouch/sleve stretching over time and you must eat a low calorie/low fat diet to maintain weight loss. 
A l y s i a  (pronounced like A l i c i a)
Total weight loss since HW of 475:
  
Pounds lost since band revision to DS            
thatpandagirl
on 10/17/10 6:19 am - FL
 I had a VBG in  2005 was about 330 got to  200, the fact that food pushed it's way up no matter what i did, was so painful! Yet, here it is 5 years later and I am at 310 and getting a gastric bypass. IMHO a VBG and LAP band are NOT permanent. And I have heard countless stories about how with in less then 2 years, they have started to put the weight back on, and sadly I have even heard of one girl who got a Lap band and PUT ON 80 lbs not losing any thing! But ultimately decision is yours. My insurance at the time ONLY let me have a VBG, despite my pleas.
    
I keep my  blog here : http://thatpandagirl.wordpress.com/

Jersey Girl
on 10/18/10 11:26 am, edited 10/18/10 11:26 am
Neither.  If you aleady have the VSG it's statistically unlikey you'd maintain long term success with either of these purely restrictive procedures.  The reflux, vomiting and general discomfort of either the lap band or vertical band are terrible.
A l y s i a  (pronounced like A l i c i a)
Total weight loss since HW of 475:
  
Pounds lost since band revision to DS            
sophielyn
on 10/22/10 1:44 pm
I had a VBG in 1999; lost 70 lbs today have gained all that back plus 50.  I am having a RNY revison on Tuesday.  My weight begin to return within a year.  Now... I did NOT use my tool to my best advantage.  However, my staple line has come undone, the silistic has slipped, I have horrible acid reflux and am hungry all the time.
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