Question:
Any long-term success with VGB
Has anyone had and maintained long-term weight-loss with VGB instead of RNY? Pre-op and still trying to decide. — Kalena B. (posted on October 19, 2003)
October 18, 2003
My surgeon says the 5 year failure rate for VBGs is 80% and I believe him.
Our support group is FILLED with VBG revisions to the RNY. The tight band
encourages poor eating habits like chips and milkshakes, while good food
like steak is near impossible to eat, it gets stuck. While no malabsorbtion
has no dumping and all calories eaten are absorbed. If you really want a
VBG check out the adjustable band, its done LAP and has lots of advantages.
The RNY has the best track record thats why the NIH called it the gold
standard of wLS. There are successful VBGers out there but the numbers are
very low.
— bob-haller
October 18, 2003
I feel they should stopo doing the VBG. Who wants to have surgery again for
weightloss?? ME! I had the VBG a little over 2 years ago and it stopped
working for me 1 year ago. It was the disappearing staple line. There
were 16 other women plus myself that all had the VBG done in 2001 by the
same surgeon and all but 2 of us have had revisions to the RNY. I'm having
my revision on 28 Oct 03 and the other lady is in the process of getting
hers approved. I think they should stop doing them they make you look like
a failure even when you measure your food. Very depressing! That is my 2
cents on the VBG!- Tammy
— blacker24
October 18, 2003
I wanted the VGB not the RNY but after doing research and talking to 2
different surgeons, the failure rate was too high for me. I looked at long
term not just 1 or 2 years out and 80% was too high of a failure rate for
me. I know people have had success with the VGB but I'm not one to take
that big of a chance. Good luck. ~Sidney~ Open RNY 10-23-02 down 120+ and
counting
— Siddy I.
October 18, 2003
There are questions and messages on here everyday, in fact one was
yesterday, where people are getting revised from vgb to rny because of poor
weight loss. That tells it all. Just scroll down the questions and find
the one that says revision from yesterday. Good answers there and that is
only from yesterday.
— Delores S.
October 18, 2003
There are questions and comments every day on here about people being
revised from vgb to rny. In fact there is one from yesterday. It starts
with, i had vgb and now want rny. Look that question up. Good answers
there. The fact that it so frequently on here speaks for itself.
— Delores S.
October 18, 2003
karen, I have tried to post this three times so it might show up multile
times. There are people on here every day asking about being revised from
vgb to rny. in fact, that is nearly 100% of all revisions. There was a
question yesterday that starts, ' i had vgb and now want rny." You
might look at the answers there. The fact that so many people are seeking
revisions speaks for itself. Good luck on your research and i hope you get
some really good answers to help you decide what is best for you.
— Delores S.
October 19, 2003
Congratulations on doing the research before jumping into the decision,
which is yours and yours alone. Unfortunately, I have read more negative
than good about the VGB. I can't access your profile so I don't have your
stats, but if you have over 100 to lose, I think you should seriously
seriously consider the RNY. There is another question down a few on this
board from someone who is dissatisfied with the results of the VGB. It
sure seems like there is more long term success with RNY. I am an RNY
person, and I wouldn't change my decison for the world. Good luck to you.
Hugs, Valerie 8/26/02 275/170/??
— Valerie B.
October 19, 2003
My surgeon used to do the VGB, but he no longer does. He said the failure
rate was too high & now he strictly does the Open RNY.
— Saxbyd
October 19, 2003
Thanks for all your help guys. I will look into all your suggestions, but
I think I already know the answer. Karen
— Kalena B.
October 19, 2003
There is another WLS many people have never heard of that has an even
better success rate, the DS. Significant long-term regain is close to 0%.
In fact, in the Yahoo revision group you'll find many RNY's being revised
to DS, some after being revised to RNY from VBG! You can research the DS at
http://duodenalswitch.com/. Good luck to you!
— Chris T.
October 20, 2003
I had VBG in 1995. It worked well for about 5-6 years, then I had a staple
line disruption and gained back 90-100 pounds. I was revised in 2002 to RNY
and have lost 90 pounds. I am sure there are some long-term VBGs out there
who have maintained their weight loss. I just wasn't one of them. If the
dr.s can come up with a way to transect the VBG pouch, I think it could be
a more viable option, esp. for those who are leery of the malabsorption,
but the way it is done, with just staples, there is no way to for a good
scar line to form and the chance of staple line disruptions is always
there.
— Ali M
October 21, 2003
I had my VBG a little over a year ago, and I have had no problems, continue
to loose weight, never gained an ounce, and believe this is the best
decision I have ever made. I do believe the 'stats' for VBG failure are
higher than the RNY, but 80% is a bit much. And barring any mechanical
difficulties (which could happen with RNY too) your personal 'failure' rate
is up to you. This surgery was done on your stomach, not your head. If you
do not dump when you have an RNY, like so many, then how is it going to
stop you from eating milkshakes? And for the record, I have no trouble
eating good foods like veggies and meat, and have not even tried to have a
milkshake or ice cream. I just don't want those things. I did this
surgery to eventually have a normal life, in my personal opinion, there is
nothing normal about having to count the number of grams of sugar in
everything you eat for the rest of your life. Do your own research on the
options available to you. Consider the long term issues and potential
complications as well.
— salymsmommy
October 21, 2003
Hi Karen,
If you are thinking about VBG I would advise you to look into the Lap Band.
It works virtually the same way as the VBG as it is a restrictive
procedure, however there is not the danger of staple line disruption as
with the VBG. I went back and forth between the 2 before finally deciding
on the Lap Band.
I was banded 07/01/03 and have lost 60lbs so far, I have had 1 fill and no
complications.
Good Luck in your journey!
Lisa F
— Lisa F.
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