Question:
RnY vs. VBG

I have been doing research for 2 months now on exactly which surgery is best for me. Right now I am confused between Open RNY and VBG. Please email me which surgery you have had and I want negatives of each. I am making a chart! lol whichever has the least amount/least severe of negatives, wins my business! please forward all responses to "[email protected]"    — Kim B. (posted on February 22, 2000)

February 22, 2000
I had open RNY on 12/8/99: For the life of me I have sat here trying to think of a negative, as you requested. I had an epidural so I had no pain in hospital or at home, sure I was limited to liquid diet for a while all surgeries of this nature will be, while our new anatomy heals. Ok, drinking lots of water, that was hard at first, that may be the down side for some, was for me at first..I hated water could not stand the taste of it, however, here I am over two months post-op now and I love water ;-) (who would have thought). (I have a jug of ice water with me everywhere I go now) I guess only real thing I dread is hair loss, but again all surgeries of this type experience that side affect. I'm pumping up my protein intake with a very good supplement and hope that slows the hair loss. I did have problem at first with taste of the protein supplement, but now that vitalady turned me on to HDT ProBlend55, My local nutrition shop ordered in a case and I buy as I need it now. I don't have dumping because I eat what I'm suppose too how I'm suppose to.. I don't have foul smelling gas or bowel movements. So not sure what else I can say except.. I longer take any Blood pressure medication, No longer requires a C-Pap machine for Apnea, No longer diabetic, and no longer weight over 300 lbs. 289 today.. I weighted 367 July 99. Ok, if you really want to know a down side..LOL I'm having hard time keeping up with my bra size every time I buy a new bra it's too big in few days.. (But as Martha Stewart would say "this is a good thing) I went from 56D to 46C so far. So I have lots of new bras wore just a few times. ;-) Yes, I'm sold on this surgery.. http://www.angelfire.com/ok3/vbowen/index.html
   — Victoria B.

February 22, 2000
Kim -- have you thought about consulting a doctor that does all types of wls and getting her/his/their recommendation based on your body type, lifestyle, eating habits, etc. The surgery type depends on the individual. Both surgeries are ideal for some patients but not for others - its an individual choice that is best made by both you and the doc. The research is very useful (and I think imperative to figure out what they are talking about), but their professional, expert opinion is invaluable.
   — Toni B.

June 30, 2000
I wanted to throw my 2 cents worth in too. I had VBG in 1984 with great success. I lost 175 lbs over 2 years....most of it in the 1st year. I went from 325 to around 150. I remained this way for about 4 years. After surgery I followed all the doc's orders and was VERY compliant. As time went on I could eat a small bit more...but nothing compared to before surgery and suddenly one day...I found I could eat an entire small hamburger from McDonalds, instead of 1/2 of it. I was petrified. I called the doc and he said...sounds like staple line breakdown to me...he said it's like a zipper if it gets a weak spot, it will eventually open up like a zipper. Well open up it did...I gained a great portion of the weight back. I am now having a revision for RNY in the fall. That is the only problem I found with the VBG, is the higher incident of breakdown. I don't think this is near as much a problem in RNY. Other than that, I had no problems and felt great after the VBG...but as others have said...your doctor is the best one to discuss this with...Good Luck [email protected]
   — Terry M.

August 7, 2000
MY DOCTOR SAID THE VBG WAS FOR ME BECAUSE I ONLY HAD TO LOOSE 130 POUNDS AND IT WAS THE LEAST TRAUMATIC TO THE BODY. I HAD THE SURGERY DONE ON 12/13/99 AND HAVE LOST 78 POUNDS AND AM STILL LOSING SLOWLY. I HAVE HAD NO SIDE EFFECTS OTHER THAN THROWING UP WHEN I EAT TOO MUCH OR TOO FAST. I AM ABLE TO EAT ANY TYPE OF FOOD, AND CAN MANAGE MY BLOOD SUGAR THROUGH DIET THIS WAY. i AM VERY SATISFIED WITH THE VBG.
   — Brenda C.