Question:
What are the worst points to a VBG?

I was concidering a j-i bypass, but with so many negative things about it, I have greatly reconcidered... and now my family doctor has refered me for a VBG? Is it any better, worse? I need to lose a fair ammount of weight and want the long term. I haven't been able to find a surgeon in BC (or alberta)that does a gastric bypass. Can anyone help with that?    — Betty S. (posted on February 3, 2000)

February 3, 2000
I have not had a VBG myself, but work with MANY who have. The first negative is that it is usually a FIRST WLS. Of all I know personally who have had it revised to RNY (gastric bypass), 100% prefer the freedom the RNY gives. Larger pouch, larger outlet, not as much vomiting, more food choices, much better wt loss due to that little bit of malabsorption. For myself, RNY is the ONLY way to go!
   — vitalady

February 3, 2000
Hi Betty: I did, in fact, have the VBG 5.5 yrs ago. On the day of surgury I was 280 lbs at 5'4". After all was said and done, I usually kept my weight at 175. The VBG broke in the summer of 1998. By Christmas 1998 I was climbing rapidly now at 200. In February 1999, I had a re-do to the RYN. The differences between the VGB and the RYN is with the VBG I threw up alot. I could not eat breads, red meats, or anything that expanded once it got moist. I could eat all the "sugar" I wanted like cakes, cookies, ice cream, etc. While my VBG was considered a success, two close friends of mine had the VBG. One almost died because her ring titled and prevented her from even being able to keep water down. She had to be tube fed. The other friend, never lost more than 30 lbs. but continued to thorw up because of the ring. They have now both been converted to RYN and are doing well. The VBG is considered to only be a temporary tool to aide you. Unless things have changed since my VBG 5 .5 years ago, the longeity of the VBG is said to be 5 years but realisitcally is 2 years. With the RYN, I do not throw up and can eat breads, red meats, etc. I can eat anything I want, just small amounts. EXCEPT I can't eat high sugar foods. This for me is great because I was an "sugar-a-holic". It keeps me in line. Now one year post-op, I am 140 pounds, size 6 and still 5'4" :). If I ever had a choice to make, I would undoubtly chose the RYN over the VBG any day. Please email me if you have any other questions or concerns. [email protected]
   — Renee C.

February 4, 2000
I had VBG almost 3years ago. I weighed 296 at surgery 8/1/97 then 8/1/98 I weighed 176. I learned what I could eat alot of when I was in the mood and that turned out to be cookies and candy. By the way I was not a big sweet eater before surgery AT ALL. 8/1/99 I weighed 200 (but felt a lot better than when I was 176!) Anyway I have cut out the sweets as much as possible and exercise 5 days a week. Today I weight 185 (and still loosing about 1lb every week or two) and feel strong and healthy. I eat real food at real meal times (still no meat but fish)and can still only eat 1/2 of what an average person eats. Sometimes I wish I would have had RNY (didn't know a thing about it) but for now I am doing great. Probably would have a revision if something happened to this staple line. My doctor did 3 rows of staples. Does anyone know if that is what most docs do with the VBG. Good Luck cindy
   — Cindy G.

February 4, 2000
I had a VBG in 1985. If failed 2 1/2 years later, although I followed instructions to a tee. My surgeon retired not long after my surgery, I was young, and thought I was stuck. My endoscopy last Nov. indicated a staple line disruption and silastic ring failure. Having my procedure revised to RNY on 4/26/2000. Good luck to you.
   — [Deactivated Member]

February 12, 2000
In my opinion there are no bad things about VBG. It is a viable way to loose weight permanently. I had VBG 20 months ago. I have lost 155 pounds and had no problems. I would highly reccomend it. I am sure in this forum you will get lots of negative feed back on this procedure. You just have to remember that it is a tool that you must use wisely. Just like any other WLS, it can be defeated if you try hard enough. Good Luck!!
   — Donna D.