Question:
Info on the VGB Needed
I would like to know if anyone who has had VGB has had any complications, expected pain, and realistic weight loss amounts. I have done a lot of research and I would like to know the "guts and glory" of this surgery. There is not much of these answers in the question fields. Thanks Laurie — Laurie J. (posted on March 27, 2003)
March 27, 2003
I am sorry to tell you the 5 year failure rate for the VBG is 80%. Our
support group is filled with VBG revisions to the RNY. Now some do fine
with the VBG, but its few and far between. If you REALLY want a VBG look at
the adjustable band instead. The trouble with the VBG is the tight band
makes it hard to eat good food while jubnk like chips go down fine. Plus
theres no dumping like the RNY has so many VBGers eat high calorie liquids.
— bob-haller
March 27, 2003
if you do a google search on vgb failure rate, you will find many web sites
that say its success rate is not great.
— Kasey
March 27, 2003
I had a VBG on Feb.12, 2003. I am down 40#. I feel good, but have learned
that I must still have willpower as I am sure RNY people must. It is more
about you and your determination than which surgery you choose. I weighed
245 and am 5'4. For me, this surgery was the BEST option. Good Luck and
remember WLS is not a magical solution. It is only a tool and Boy have I
learned that these past 6 weeks. Old habits die hard, but they do die. A
new life awaits you if you want it badly enough. Again, Best of Luck with
your decision.
— susan P.
March 27, 2003
I had a VBG on Feb.12, 2003. I am down 40#. I feel good, but have learned
that I must still have willpower as I am sure RNY people must. It is more
about you and your determination than which surgery you choose. I weighed
245 and am 5'4. For me, this surgery was the BEST option. Good Luck and
remember WLS is not a magical solution. It is only a tool and Boy have I
learned that these past 6 weeks. Old habits die hard, but they do die. A
new life awaits you if you want it badly enough. Again, Best of Luck with
your decision.
— susan P.
March 27, 2003
I hope this helps you some. I had the VBG/RNY on May 23rd and have lost
130Lbs to date. My doctor does both proceedures at the same time. It it
the only one he will do. He seems to think the banding stops the stomach
from stretching and you also have the malasorption from the RNY (and the
dumping). Seems to be working great for me. Good luck.
Joani
— Joani M.
March 27, 2003
Laurie, not all VBG'ers are failures as many on this board would like you
to belive. And sure, there are revisions from VBG to RNY, but there are
also revisions from RNY to whatever the next step is to take more
intestines. This surgery (VBG, RNY, ETC) is a tool and your success
depends on how well you use it.
I had mine 8-26-02 and have lost 105 pounds and went from a size 30 to an
18, SO FAR. I am still loosing! There is lots of info on my profile about
my experiences that you can check out. E-mail me privately if there is
anything I can help you with beyond that. Good luck!
— salymsmommy
March 28, 2003
I would like to know where they got 80% for a failure rate. I agree that
one may tend to loose a little less with the VBG vs RNY but I have never
seen 80%! I have researched the VBG for 2 years and am working with a
surgeon who has had a high percentage of his patients who have been quite
successful with their surgeries. I agree with the other posters who state
that this is a tool. Follow the rules and it will work for you.
Personally, I don't want the nutrition problems and dumping. He is also
one of the top surgeons in the area and has done this surgery for over 20
years. Failure rate can be just as high for RNY'rs who find out they can
eat around their surgeries. Remember-it's not what you eat so much as how
much. Calories can make or break you. Also, you must be at a point in
your life that you are willing to do anything to live a normal healthy
life. Whether you do that within the realm of VBG or RNY is your choice.
I find it disquieting that some of this support group will do anything to
woo people away from the VBG. This is a support group, not a competition.
Just my two cents.
— Linda K.
March 28, 2003
Gotta disagree with Linda Kloos here! It's NOT all about calories!
Your bodies will use calories from protein to build muscle. It will store
calories from carbs (sugar, starch, etc.) much more quickly. Carbs also
set up the cravings for many of us. Depending on what surgery you've had,
you may or may not absorb fats. Calories from fat may be a free pass to
some extent (if you are a distal, with enough malabsorbtion), or they may
make you dump.
Even if you've only had a VBG, lean protein is still your best choice, with
lo carb veggies. Carbs and fats will not help you lose weight. If they
had, you would have lost weight without surgery, right?
Read up on Protein Power, and Carbohydrate Addict's Diet Plans. Even if
you don't *follow* them, it's good info to have/know.
— RWH G.
March 28, 2003
It truly amazes me how many times I've seen this same discussion played out
over and over again on this site, and this time I have to put my two cents
in. :-)
I've not yet had surgery, but I've decided (very firmly) on the VBG for a
few reasons: (1) As I've read so often, I know this surgery is merely a
tool (not a magic bullet) that will help me in my commitment to eat
healthier and make wiser food choices. I'm already on that path and feel
this surgery will be the last step in achieving my goals. I refuse to go
through major surgery and have my insides altered and still not make a
major commitment to change my relationship with food; (2) In my opinion,
relying on dumping syndrome and malabsorption to force me to change my
behaviors is like advising a suicidal person to take a trip to Disneyland
and everthing will hunky dory! Does this make any sense? I feel I am 100%
committed to making this surgery work for me; the term I've coined is
"mental dumping". :-); (3) I simply don't want my plumbing
altered so to speak. Having my stomach stapled is much more appealing than
the thought of rearranging my intestines. I'd like to keep this thing as
simple and as natural as possible.
So I guess the point I'm trying to make is that this decision is VERY
PERSONAL. I can't stress that enough. Opinions are nice to take into
account, but in the end this decision has nothing to do with failure
statistics (which basically prove that many people fail to make the mental
committment necessary to make this surgery successful), a stranger's
opinion (afer all, who knows you better than you), or even a family members
opinion. Sweety, go with your gut (no pun intended) and do what's best for
you.
That's my two cents (or more like 10)!
(By the way, I love coming to this site to read about EVERYONE'S successes,
RNYers and VBGers alike.)
— Leni M.
March 28, 2003
I am almost 3 years post op from my VBG. I've had NO complications and
have no problems eating. I'm at goal and maintaining.
— BethVBG
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