Any surgery you have, there is the potential for loose skin. It's up to you as the others said to use whichever "tool" you choose, to lose the weight, and to exercise to try and keep the skin to a minimum. You can do it with either surgery. You will lose more than 2 lbs per week on liquids. I lost 15 lbs my first week out from surgery. Since being off liquids, it's been tough. You've got to exercise or you won't reach or maintain your goal. It's still a hard lifestyle change no matter which surgery you do...you've got to teach yourself to eat better, more of the right things since you are eating less...and you've got to exercise. And, you've got to try and learn these habits early after surgery, to maximize your weight loss and change your state of mind. My surgeon is against RNY also. It is just so drastic to rearrange your insides in my opinion. There is the vitamin deficiency thing someone mentioned, and that is a huge risk.....what are the side-effects going to be when you are 50? And, you will have the "dumping" with sweet foods, more likely to lose hair, can become lactose intolerant, have more "bathroom problems" so I've heard, etc.... RNY was not a consideration for me....I was deciding between VBG and LapBand, and my insurance covered both...but I decided against LapBand since I didn't want to have control over the band and size of my pouch....I thought I might cheat on that. So, VBG it was. And, my surgeon also did something cool....may ask yours about this if you are worried about staples. I do not have a staple line. Where the vertical staple line normally is, my surgeon actually cut my stomach. So, I just have the pouch with the ring at the bottom leading to my larger stomach. He had seen too many problems with staple line disruptions, and he's been doing the cutting instead of staples for years. Anyway, good luck making your decision. I'm happy with mine so far. ~Kim Open VBG 9/1/04 292 then/ 245 now 5'10"

As far as loose skin, exercise, exercise, exercise.

Okay here goes. I'm about a month away from a very important decision. I either have the choice of going VBG (Stomach stapling w/silicatic ring) or RNY (gastic bypass) per insurance coverage Lapband is not covered. I originally wanted the RNY but my doctor is highly against it because of the risks involved. So he has swayed me to the VBG but I'm still not totally convinced that this is the way for me. I don't want to have the VBG done and a few months or years be regretful of my decision. Considering that I've heard too many experiences with popped staples (what causes them to give way, anyways?). However, I don't quite know about the loose skin with the VBG. I know about the RNY and pounds of loose skin left behind but how about the VBG? I'm not really a compulsive eater. I don't find myself creeping around in the middle of the night trying to find food to eat, just for the sake of eating. If I eat, I'm hungry, and when the hunger is satisfied I stop eating. Its just it takes alot to fill my big ol' belly. I come into the equation that I want to lose as much weight as I possibly can. I don't want to be beating myself up wondering why it is that I'm on liquid and only losing a few pounds a week. But I'm scared of the RNY cause I have two small children. I don't want to die on the table cause of a risky procedure. But I don't want to kick myself for not making the right decision . Please VBG'ers let me know if you made the right choice or if I should make different decision. I'm 34 and 300 lbs with 2 children under 2. Many thanks for your input. Christine

I think after a few weeks, I started taking it off for an hour or so to let the incision breath, but only while I was just sitting and doing nothing. I stopped wearing it during the day at 3 weeks out, since that is when I returned to work, but I have a desk job and was very careful. I still wore it to sleep at night though for probably at least 6 weeks. I felt much safer in it, to be able to turn over at night, etc. It took me a good 2 months before I could even try to lay on my stomach, with or without the binder. And, I'm a stomach sleeper, so it was hard there for awhile. Even now, I am still cautious when I do anything that might put stress on my mid-section. My surgeon told me I didn't have to wear it anymore after 3 weeks, but I would recommend wearing it as long as you can stand it, especially if you are walking or doing any minimal exercise, bending over, or housecleaning even. Better safe than sorry....it will help support you and prevent hernias. Good Luck! Sounds like you are well on your way.... ~Kim Open VBG 9/1/04 292 then/ 245 now

Congrats on your weightloss Andrea!!!! Keep up the good work. At almost 2 months out it is you and people like you who are an inspiration to me!!! Take care, Sara