Question:
Has anyone age 55 or older had the VGB Vertical Banded Gastroplasty

   — Eva O. (posted on May 4, 2004)

May 4, 2004
Why the VBG? My surgeon says the 5 year failure rate is over 80%. The tight band makes it hard to eat good food while junk like chipas go down well:( The lap band , adjustable band might be a better choice. So many come here looking for VBG to rny and other revisions. Dont want to see you having to gfo thru surgery twice. 55 is young, my surgeon does patients till near 70 provided they are healthy enough to survive surgery,
   — bob-haller

May 4, 2004
I had VBG at 21 back in 1995. Had a staple line disruption (SLD) and ended up having a revision to RNY in 2002. I try not to "bash" the VBG, but the truth is, it does have a higher rate of failure due to SLD. If I can share my story and prevent someone else from having to go thru 2 surgeries, I will. <p> Even before the SLD (which we thnk occurred in 2000-2001) I had a hard time eating certain foods - especially dense meat (beef, chicken, pork, etc..) I had to be careful of breads and "stickey" foods like peanut butter. Even several years after the VBG I would vomit on a weekly basis due to the foods getting stuck. Since having RNY I have only been sick a handful of times and most of those I can contribute to not chewing well enough or eating too fast. <p> Good luck with your research.
   — Ali M

May 4, 2004
Eva, In 2000, my mom had VGB at age 62. She lost about 70 pounds and it kind of stopped. She told me the other day if she could do it all over again she would have had the RNY surgery like I did. She too had a hard time eating certain foods as they "get stuck" Stringy foods and meats are her problems. Like the other poster, my mom usually vomits at least one a week due to food getting stuck. If you have other questions, feel free to e-mail.
   — jmusser

May 5, 2004
Hello, Thanks to all of you guys that posted for me i think i will take your advice and stay with rny.
   — Eva O.