Question:
How do you feel after the VBG?

I was originally planning on having the RNY but have since changed my mind and am having the VBG. How is the pain after the VBG and is the recovery any shorter? Please tell me how the recovery went and when I can possibly plan on resuming normal activities. I know the VBG is not as complicated as the RNY. I would also like to know about how the hospital and recovery went and how long you were in the hospital. I have a desk job / no heavy lifting, so work is not reall a problem. Thanks for all your help in advance.    — karen C. (posted on December 19, 1999)

December 27, 1999
I had VBG and was in the hospital for 3 1/2 days. I never needed any pain meds after I went home form the hospital and wa back at work on day 10. I have a home daycare and was not on my feet lifting or anything like that, but I never needed pain meds. and truely felt great! Please feel free to e-mail me if you have more questions. I also started a support group for the Houston area. My Dr was Harberg and I would love to correspond with you.
   — Donna D.

February 1, 2000
I had my VBG on 12/27/99. I went home 2 1/2 days later. I felt so good that I was even able to sleep on my stomach that night. I started walking around the block the day after that. I am now a little over a month post op and have lost 34 pounds. I had virtually no pain, and I was only on pain meds because my doctor wanted me to have them. Once I went home, I didn't once touch my pain meds. I had a great doctor who has the most excellent bedside manor of any doctor I've had to deal with. He took everything into consideration before I had the surgery. I truly believe this is the reason for the fact that I've yet to have any problems. Lots of luck!
   — L. V.

May 9, 2001
Hi i had the vbg procedure done on the 4-2-01.i had a lil pain afterwards and i was in the hospital for 5 days .if you work on your walking and breathing while in the hospital your good to go .i am now 21/2 weeks out and i am really doing great i have lost 31 pds so whoooooo:) good luck and god bless
   — Sandra B.

June 23, 2001
Congrats. to those who did feel fine after VBG. I on the other hand am not doing so well.I still have a lot of pain in my stomache area, I have been home from the hosp. 3 days now, I can barely sit here and type this message without feeling like I am going to pass out. I cant sleep in my bed because I cant get up& down with out having stomache spasams.Those reallly do hurt.Ifeel dehydrated and want to drink a whole glass of water, but I know I can not do that .I hope it gets better.....
   — [Anonymous]

June 23, 2001
Hi there. I had my VBG Nov14/00 (tues) and was home saturday. I took pain pills that night and the next but they made my sick so I stopped taking them and never really had severe pain. I healed fine from that but it's really the same healing time as open rny as open is open in my mind. Took me 8 weeks to be given the stamp of approval to resume normal physical activity and increase it to be able to lift more than 10 lbs or do housework. 4 months after my VBG I had my gallbladder removed through my re-opened wls scar and went through the whole healing process over again....same thing. It really wasn't as bad as I feared. Good luck to you!
   — Jo C.