How Long ?

 When did they start doing VSG's. I got a band because they were considered very safe and effective 5 years ago when I started doing research. I now find out there are many side effects that have been documented since then. I want to make sure that VSG's have been done for a while so that I do not end up with complications down the road that lead to serious "Buyer Remorse"

The VSG started as a WLS as a part of the DS (duodenal switch) which combined the reduced stomach with intestinal rerouting to malabsorb fats. On that basis it's been done since at least the mid 80's  - my doc and his brother have been doing them for about twenty years, so the technique is well established though it may be fairly new to some docs who only did RNY or bands. Some patients were too ill or weak to withstand the sometimes long surgical time for the DS, so they had the VSG done initially until they lost some weight and got healthy and strong enough to have the second part of the DS performed. Some did well enough with the VSG alone that some docs started offering the VSG as a stand alone procedure - this has gone on for about the last 5-10 years or so.

Beyond the normal risks associated with any surgery, the main ones that seem to be seen sometimes with the sleeve are leaks and the occasional twist or kink in the sleeved stomach. These are fairly rare, less than 1% range, and seem to be mostly associated with surgeons who are less experienced with doing sleeves - it's a very different structure from what is done in an RNY. Look for a surgeon who has done at least 500 sleeves, which would also include any DS experience he has. Beyond those basic structural defects, the main problem that can be termed a complication or negative issue would be reflux which is usually temporary and controlled with PPI drugs like Prilosec, but can (though rarely) be a longer term or permanent issue. It certainly has a much better patient satisfaction record than the bands.

In considering where to go after a band, you should research things carefully (again!) to find which procedure is the best fit for you. Many have made the move from failed bands to the sleeve and have be quite satisfied with it, but the RNY and particularly the DS also have merits that should be considered, along with possibly offsetting downsides.