Question:
Help - I need help from anyone who has had VBG and is now revising it to Roun-Y

I need help from anyone out there who has already had the VBG Surgery and is now having the Roun-Y. My insurance is trying to force me to see a doctor that only does the VBG which is not the surgery that I want. I want the Roun-Y done lapriscopically. If there is anyone out there that is willing to share their story with me, please email me at [email protected]. I am going to fight it, but I need the ammunition to show why I believe that the Roun-y is a better surgery. Thanks to all who will share their story    — c4brandy (posted on June 21, 2002)

June 21, 2002
Hi, I had a stomach stapling back in 1984, I think they call them VBG's now/ I just had a lap rny in Sept. of 2001/ My Dr. Wrote my letter and really more or less stated that he was doing this surgery to fix the previous surgery, and that seemed to satisfy the ins. co., I have John Deere Ins. and they paid everything but 200.00 Praise the LORD!!! If I can help in any way let me know/ Patti Meadows/ e-mail: [email protected]
   — peppermintp

June 22, 2002
Hi! I had a VBG in 1997. If you look at my profile, it details what I went through with that. I had a revision to RNY last summmer. It is so much better and much different for me. I can actually eat more than one bite of food without throwing up. And I've lost over 90 lbs. I never lost more than 40 lbs with the VBG and threw up 1-5 times a day. E-mail me if you need any more info.
   — Michele :.

June 22, 2002
I had SRVG which is a glorified VBG. I had a terrible time with it. I You can look at my profile and see. Anyways, I revised to RNY on May 9, the weight loss for me has been somewhat slow, but I didn't have as much to lose and they say revision patients do lose some slower. I feel so much better, and I am so very glad I revised, it is like I have a new lease on life, and I know I will get to be healthy again. I am now at 182.5 so woo hoo. E mail me if I can help you. Pastor Kay
   — S. Kay S.

May 20, 2003
In 1987 I had a V.B.G The surgery was a sucess.In the beginning I lost alot of pounds within 6 weeks I lost 68 lbs.I had the surgery of course to looes.I also had maney health problems.High blood pressure,Arthritis,Asthma,Had a very bad car accident with head & neck injuries.So I needed to loose fast. I did with in 18 mons. I lost135 lbs.Sounds positive dosen't it.OH NO!!!I have regained 68 lbs. & So maney more health issues. ON top of all the problems I had before and still do now. I have Gerd, Acid reflux,And a much more seriouse problem I have Barretts Esophagus It is a condition of precancer cells in the esophagus.I have no recourse but to reverse the VBG and to have a RNY bypass. It's funny I had the VBG so I wouldn't have to have bypass. Not to loose the wieght. But so I don't get cancer of the esophagus. I have no other choice. They just can't remove the band. They have to bypass the pouch completely because of the pressure that well be on the esophagus all the time witch causes acid reflux, and the acid reflux eroads the esophagus.All I can say to you is PLEASE DON"T HAVE THE VBG. If you need to print this out and show to the insurance feel free to do so.I wish you luck & I'll prey that you make the right decision. What ever that is God be with you.. Sincerely Gail Powell
   — Gail P.