Question:
I lost 60 pounds from VBG and have gained all but 20 back...
I am looking into a revision to RNY and will have to get an Upper GI or some other test to see if I have a Staple Line Disruption. I am wondering if there is any other possibilities besides a SLD? Could they find that there is nothing wrong with the original surgery even though I have had poor weight loss? Thank you for your answers. — LaKeAffy (posted on February 3, 2005)
February 2, 2005
It Is possible that there isn't anything "wrong" with the VBG but
I think they are finding that a lot of VBG'ers are having to have a
revision to be truly successful. We have a lady in our support group that
just had this done and is doing great. If i'm not incorrect..the VBG
doesn't offer the malabsorbtion that RNY does? That is probably the
difference.
— FaithMills
February 3, 2005
You can find help with your revision questions at several Yahoo group
sites:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/OSSG-Revision/
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/WLSrevisionsupport
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DS_Revision
The vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) bypasses no intestines, and
therefore causes no malabsorption. Another cause of disappointing weight
loss with the VBG is that its band makes eating "healthy" food
difficult for many people, encouraging them to eat soft, high-calorie foods
like ice cream that go down easily. Best of luck to you.
— Kay B.
February 3, 2005
Please read this paper:
http://www.dssurgery.com/aboutus/Research/safeoperation.pdf
"Duodenal Switch is a Safe Operation for Patients who have Failed
Other Bariatric Operations"
— [Deactivated Member]
February 3, 2005
Please go to this website. www.gr-ds.com and review WLS comparisons. I had
the VBG and I and at least 2 other close friends of mine had this
"bandaid fix" WLS and we all gained the weight back and guess
what else? More weight than when we started. Its not YOU.
Lyric
— Lyric
February 3, 2005
There are dozens of reason for revision. My doc has gotten insurance
approval whose surgery is still technically intact, but not working for
them. That is a hard one to grasp, but ALL Of them have lost weight and are
doing well now. So, the first surgery was....... a booboo? I dunno, but I
know it can happen that a surgery is intact, but not doing the job.
Obesity is not a character flaw.
— vitalady
February 3, 2005
I too suffered from a VBG gone wrong. Originally the surgery was in '89,
had SLD repaired in '92. After continual vomiting and malnutrition, went in
for revision to RNY in '03, unable to revise due to extensive adhesions and
angulation and kinking in the distal stomach. Eventually was revised to RNY
after having stomach and gallbladder removed. Know that you are NOT alone,
I have dozens of friends that have had to be revised from VBG to RNY.
Adhesions can strangle the ring making the opening much smaller, there is
SLD, and sometimes the VBG just isn't a good fit. BTW in '03 all the tests
they did came back normal, it wasn't until they went in that they saw all
the damage that had been done. VBG failure is a lot more common than people
would like to admit. Good Luck!
— Michelle M.
February 4, 2005
I had a VBG in 1997 and had to have it revised to a proximal RNY in 2000
due to a mechanical failure. My staple line was intact, instead I had lost
my ring. We have no idea what happened to it but it was gone so I'd eat,
feel full and about 20min later feel hungry again. During one of the tests
they had me eat food that was mixed with barium and we watched the food hit
the pouch and then literally fall into the lower stomach. I don't know how
common this is but I haven't run into anyone else who had this happen! I
lost about 80lbs with my
VBG in 6 months and I felt like the biggest failure when the loss stopped
and like an even bigger failure when the weight started returning. I
regained 35lbs before revising to the RNY. I hope this helps!
— Kellye C.
February 4, 2005
I was told during my orientation with my surgeon that even the ring from a
fobi can go missing. The body will absorb it and pass it through. It
doesnt happen often but it can happen. Either way, the upper GI should
give you the answer. Best of luck to you. Sidney
— Siddy I.
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