RNY after VBG questions - ThinnerTimes

Debz · 01-08-2007, 02:31 PM

Hi everyone. I'm a newbie to this forum. I found it a few days ago on my great internet search for knowledge regarding RNY. It kinda seems rude to just barge in and start asking questions right away...but I guess I've never been accused of the best manners...

Here's my situation. I had a VBG in 1988. I was about 250 at the time.(heck, like I don't know exactly how much I weighed...it was 254). Anyhow, the surgery went well and I lost 130 pounds in a year. I maintained my weight loss for about 7 years. I had some problems through the years with vomiting and food getting stuck in my ring, but nothing terrible. I got very little diet education when I had my surgery. It was done in an Army hospital and there wasn't much of an effort to educate those of us with the procedure. It was only on this forum that I learned about the whole water loading and no drinking while you're eating. I guess I really didn't know enough about the operation before I did it. I was young ,and really didn't do my homework.

Something changed about 7 years out. I suddenly could eat a whole lot more and things would sometimes sit in my stomach for a really long time. I wound up having a Barium swallow and confirmed my suspisions that I had broken my staple line. Long story short, I weigh 247 as of yesterday.

I've been considering surgery for several months now. It has become more than just a vanity thing now...at 42 I'm really starting to notice what being so big is doing to my health, and how many things it keeps me from doing. I've done ALOT of internet research about the procedure, and I feel it's the right thing to do for me. I know from the research, and my doctor has told me, that RNY post VBG is certainly possible, but I've yet to meet anyone who's done it, or read any posts about it. Anyone have any knowledge on this?

Oh, BTW i just wanted to say you guys seem to have such a great community...very supportive of each other. Thanks in advance for any input.

Blaqfyah · 01-08-2007, 04:15 PM

What is VGB?

Rachel · 01-08-2007, 04:48 PM

I had to look it up, I didn't know what it was either. Here are my search results

http://www.google.com/search?q=VBG+s...ient=firefox-a

Debz · 01-08-2007, 05:55 PM

As well as a VBG, I guess I have TIIPS (totally inscrutible internet post syndrome)

Sorry bout that.

LyndasRoom · 01-08-2007, 06:03 PM

Hi Debz,
I don't know about the subject you're asking about...I just wanted to say "Welcome".

Bella · 01-08-2007, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Debz

Hi everyone. I'm a newbie to this forum. I found it a few days ago on my great internet search for knowledge regarding RNY. It kinda seems rude to just barge in and start asking questions right away...but I guess I've never been accused of the best manners...

Here's my situation. I had a VBG in 1988. I was about 250 at the time.(heck, like I don't know exactly how much I weighed...it was 254). Anyhow, the surgery went well and I lost 130 pounds in a year. I maintained my weight loss for about 7 years. I had some problems through the years with vomiting and food getting stuck in my ring, but nothing terrible. I got very little diet education when I had my surgery. It was done in an Army hospital and there wasn't much of an effort to educate those of us with the procedure. It was only on this forum that I learned about the whole water loading and no drinking while you're eating. I guess I really didn't know enough about the operation before I did it. I was young ,and really didn't do my homework.

Something changed about 7 years out. I suddenly could eat a whole lot more and things would sometimes sit in my stomach for a really long time. I wound up having a Barium swallow and confirmed my suspisions that I had broken my staple line. Long story short, I weigh 247 as of yesterday.

I've been considering surgery for several months now. It has become more than just a vanity thing now...at 42 I'm really starting to notice what being so big is doing to my health, and how many things it keeps me from doing. I've done ALOT of internet research about the procedure, and I feel it's the right thing to do for me. I know from the research, and my doctor has told me, that RNY post VBG is certainly possible, but I've yet to meet anyone who's done it, or read any posts about it. Anyone have any knowledge on this?

Oh, BTW i just wanted to say you guys seem to have such a great community...very supportive of each other. Thanks in advance for any input.

Hi,

Welcome to our little community!

I know of the VBG or it's sometimes called the VGB. It's the Vertical Banded Gas.... procedure.

Actually, there are about 8 WLS procedures available today. They each of them has their own pros and cons.

One of the reasons I decided against the VBG is because sometimes your stable line is disrupted (comes apart) and BAM - you are back to your regular stomach size again as if you never had surgery. Then you increase your eating and BAM .. you're big again.

I actually wanted the Lapband initially (a simluar process) - but after reading all the forums and the hassles with the band slipping and possible erosion .. I settled on the GOLD STANDARD in WLS. That's the Gastic Bypass procedure which is featured in this forum.

I am really at peace with my decision but you need to decide what's best for you.

Best research tip - google WLS forums and just READ alllllll the forums posts based on the procedures people have chosen. THAT'S when you get the READ lowdown on what to expect.

Dyann · 01-09-2007, 05:36 AM

I am a surgeon and a GBP patient. It is definitely possible, but a little more technically challenging due to previous scar in the area. Your chances of being converted to an open from a laparoscopic procedure are higher with the concomittant risks associated. I would make sure your surgeon is technically comfortable with both methods to give you the best results. Picking your surgeon will be the most important variable. Good luck

JJ Girl · 01-09-2007, 06:57 AM

Revisions are fairly common when surgery is done that long ago. The new RNY just uses the neck area of your stomach so the old surgery should not interfere plus you have the option of laproscopy so I would say go for it. Find yourself a very experienced surgeon and go for a consult)

LisaBoston · 01-09-2007, 07:28 AM

In Canada, the VBG is the more common procedure and there are more doctors doing it, thus the wait times are less. I was originally booked in for the VBG and choose to wait and have the RNY as many VBG patients were going in for revisions and seeing better success. I spoke a few times of a lady in my town who had it done. In fact there are 2 here that had VBG - one did very well and kept off her weight, the other did not. Once again, its how you use your tool.

The VBG was the procedure that was used in the USA years ago, so people that talk about stomach stapling years ago, probably had this procedure and would be a candidate for a revision. So if you had the RNY, you had gastric bypass, if you had a VBG, then you had stomach stapling.

fitbefore40 · 01-09-2007, 12:00 PM

My doctor has done quite a few revisions of VBGs, he's a go to guy for that in this area! He said he does at least one revision a week (not all on VBGs). So, find a dr that is comfortable with the surgery and then move forward! Good luck!