Question:
Why is there such a strong bias against VBG?

These people others speak of who did not have the greatest success having the VBG...was this caused by them not sticking to the program and eating things they shouldn't? If that is the case how can these biases be valid?    — Julie P. (posted on December 29, 1999)

December 29, 1999
I can personally respond to this with experience. 5-1/2 years ago I had the VBG done. I did lose about 100 pounds that I actually kept off for about 4 years. Then it broke, and I started to gain weight uncontrollably. Once I reached 208 pounds, I went in for a re-do to the RYN. I am now 10 months post-op and weigh approx 137 pounds and am a size 4/6. If you do research on the VGB, you should find that it's "life" expectancy is only about 5 years, although if truth be told, it is actually no longer than about 2 years. The VBG is expected to stretch and break back into the original stomach and is told to patients (should be) that this is just a temporary learning tool. I have had 2 other friends that had the VBG and the one was less than a year out and the "ring" tilted and she was on tube feedings for a very long time. The other friend only ever lost about 30 pounds and had continual problems also. They both have now had re-do's to the RYN and are extremely happy with the results. If you have any other questions, please feel free to email me at [email protected]
   — Renee C.

December 29, 1999
I think you are correct. I had great success. Lost 120# although I still need to loose 40 more. It is always hard to loose the last of your weight. I had VBG 2 1/2 years ago. I do not know enough about the RNY to say it is better or not. I am very happy with my surgery. cindy
   — Cindy G.

December 29, 1999
I had VBG 15 years ago and lost 130 pounds. 2 1/2 years later I suddenly could eat again and started gaining weight uncontrollably. My surgeon retired and I thought I had no other resources in my area (I was very young when I had the procedure), so I accepted what had happened. I gained all my weight back and 85 more lbs with two pregnancies in three years. I am in the approval process for a revision to an RNY to correct the problem. The surgeon did an endoscopy and it indicated the staple line disrupted (broke) and the silastic ring failed. I would do a lot more research before deciding on the VBG. Good luck!
   — [Deactivated Member]

April 24, 2004
I would like to share my story: I had vbg done in 1989 in the beginning it was a true miracle,i lost 115lbs and very quickly,keepin mind that back then this was the surgery of choice.As time past i was a mess, i literaly couldnt eat more than a bite of food without running to the toilet to make myself throw up. i would feel this large lump in my chestbone and throat and could not get relief until i vomited and as i got used to this i would tell myself it was normal to try to eat throw it up and then eat again,it was a visious cycle,sort of like being bulimic. Also with this surgery you tend to binge eat,make poor food choices such as junk foods,because it was the only types of foods that would sit in my pouch until i threw up. I kept the lbs off but it only lasted 6 years which is not a good outcome considering what you have to go threw. I am very disapointed with the vbg. i really wish the rny was an option at that time. I am now looking into having the revision to rny.i hear so many good things about this surgery compared to the vbg. i have heard you dont throw up like with the other, and the success rate is greater. well good luck to all who is deciding which one to have,and i certainly hope that i was of help to many of you pre-op.
   — tammi L.

April 24, 2004
Staple Line Disruptions are NOT caused by overeating. It is a surgical malfunction - the stomach starts rejecting the staples. The same thing can happen in un-transected RNY pouches. I followed my surgeons program after VBG - had great success, lost 130 pounds. Five years later had SLD and started to re-gain. Had revision to RNY and lost the 90 I had re-gained. This is not bias, these are the facts of my experience with VBG. If I had never had it and was spouting off about how bad it was, that would be bias. I have had VBG , I have had RNY and will be happy to say I like the RNY much better. Not only am I transected and have a much less chance of re-gain, I am not as sick as much. Another problem I had with VBG was with food getting stuck on the ring - I have only been sick a couple of times with the RNY.
   — Ali M