Question:
Does anyone know of a Surgeon in Houston, Tx that does the Vertical Banded

Gastroplasty Laparoscopically?    — Brandi (posted on July 28, 2005)

July 29, 2005
Brandi, sorry I can't help you but wanted to suggest you go to the Texas Message Board and ask this question. There are some that had the VGB and hopefully they can help you. Dana
   — cajungirl

July 30, 2005
Hi. Dr. Ira Kasper has long done the VBG, but the question of using the laparoscope depends on your body type. You might call his office and see.
   — DrL

August 12, 2005
Try Dr. Horacio Oria
   — bettyjones

August 12, 2005
Try Dr. Horacio Oria
   — bettyjones

August 13, 2005
I would not recommend having the vbg. I had it done in March of 1999 and while I did loose 110lbs in a yr 1/2 I gained alot of my weight back and am now goin to have a revision with rny. After extensive research the failure rate for vbg is 65%. Something to think about.
   — smlacquement

August 17, 2005
Dr. Ira Kasper is the best VBG surgeon...and I am a VBGer having lots of success. The stats are high for bypass to be a "better" surgery but I'm thankful Dr. Kasper did the RIGHT procedure for me. Good luck
   — Katie W.

August 17, 2005
I agree with Marlene, think long and hard about whether you want the VBG or not. I had it done in 1995, with a staple line disruption about 5 years later. Gained most of the 130 pounds I had lost back and ended up undergoing surgery again to have a revision to RNY. With all due respect to Katie, she is a very new post-op, June 2005, she has no idea what kind of issues she may or may not have down the road several years. I am also in the Houston area, Dr Carlos Ferrari did both of my surgeries. Excellent surgeon. He gave up doing the VBG altogether several years ago because of its very high failure rate.
   — Ali M