Question:
Can anyone who had the VBG operation let me know how they are doing?

Can anyone who had the VBG operation let me know if they had regretted it, and wished they opted for the RNY, I have a choice and my BMI is 40, and I don't hear too many people talk about the VBG, are there any good things about this operation?    — [Anonymous] (posted on November 14, 2001)

November 14, 2001
I had a VGB in April,2001 and have lost 75 pounds. I'm happy with it. I knew that I wouldn't lose as fast as a by-pass, but the side effects and complications are so much less that my doctor recommended it. If you are a volume eater rather than a grazer or sweet eater, it is fine..but you have to say 'no' to certain foods because a milkshake goes down really easy. I hope it was the right decision. I haven't found anything I can't eat, just in small amounts. That is what I wanted as I wasn't really a snacker or sweet junkie. Make the best decision for you!
   — Lesley K.

November 14, 2001
I'm 1 yr post op today and I can say I'm very happy with my results. I've lost just as fast as a bypass and it's been this way from the beginning. I did/do work with my habits and lifestyle and made healthy eating and exercise "normal". The first 6 weeks was pureeds for me with a list of no-no foods. I believe following this to a T helped change some bad habits and the ability to work through head hunger and cravings. Now I get them, but rarely do I give in. The times I DO give in it's planned and I enjoy the treat without guilt. The times I HAVE indulged with planning I've felt mildly guilty, BUT not overpowered with it because I KNEW I wasn't ruled by cravings and had POWER. <p> Bloodwork is normal, my blood pressure is normal and best of all, I have none of the malabsorbtion that so terrified me into opting for VBG. 100% of my excess came off and I did this in less than a year! At 8.5 mos I was at my doctor's goal and at 10.5 mos I was at MY dream goal. Today I sit at 141-144 for a total loss of 129 lbs. I am GLAD I had the VBG and unless something mechanic fails, *I* won't! Good luck!
   — Jo (Part 2) C.

November 14, 2001
I'm almost a year and 1/2 post op from VBG. I'm down 144 pounds, my BMI is now 24 (NORMAL!!!). I've been very happy with my choice of procedure.
   — BethVBG

November 14, 2001
I had the VBG in 1991... I lost 170 pounds... but learned how to over eat it.. and changed my eating habits from volume to junk... junk slide right on thorough. So from about March 92 to about now... I gained back all of what I lost plus 40 pounds.. So on the morning of November 15th, 2001 I am having an open RNY revision. The VBG is good.. but you must be disciplined and not have an underlying eating problem.. like compulsive over eating... it is easy to sabotage. There are fewer complications with absorbtion as your stomach is still attached.. but the possibility of the staple line becoming ruptured, unless you are very strict with yourself, is great. I would look at all your options... a lot of people who have had the VBG are having revisions. Good luck!!!!!
   — Pamela W.

November 14, 2001
I had an open VBG on March 27, 2001. To date I have lost 92lbs and am very happy. As of two days ago, I finally broke my month long plateau (which is the only one I have had so far) and lost another 2 lbs. I would like to lose about 90 more lbs, but currently, am very happy with the decision that I made. I thought about it for years, and finally became more serious about it toward the end of last year, weighed my options, and chose the VBG. Good luck with whatever you choose.
   — Kristi J.

November 14, 2001
There are successes and failures with VBG's AND RNY's...if you'll join us at the VBG group, at www.yahoogroups.com, you'll meet hundreds of successful VBG'ers.... I had my OpenVBG on 06/11/01, and I've lost 101 lbs...my blood sugar has returned to normal, I've gone off my blood pressure meds, and gone from a size 4-5x, or 30's, to size 16's and 18's!! Regrets? No...
   — Cathy J.

November 14, 2001
I had a VBG in 93 and a RNY revision in 2000. While I applaud the support groups for the various surgeries they dont have a support group for those surgeries that have failed. I also started out with a 40 BMI with both surgeries and have had the most luck with the RNY. After 20 months I have lost 70% of my excess weight or 70 lbs. With the VBG I lost only 50 lbs then started to regain. It's your choice and I think you have to think hard about what kind of eater you are (grazer, sweet, volumn etc) this will help you make a decision better than other people's opinions. The recovery time for both surgeries seemed to be the same. I notices I threw up a lot with the VBG and that may have caused it's failure. Good luck in your decision. Since you asked I have told you the truth as it happened to me.
   — Mary G.

November 14, 2001
Here's a way to get yourself a balanced view of the VBG: sign up with the VBG support group(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vbg), and with the support group for those whose VBG's and other weight-loss surgeries have failed (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OSSG-Revision). Good luck with whatever route you choose.
   — Kay B.