JamesL73

4 years post VSG. Lost 230 pounds and have regained 120. I am going to Dr Jalil Illan at Bariatricpal MX on June 15 for a revision to the Mini Gastric Bypass. I have a very sedentary job and I think (HOPE) that this will help me start losing again and be able to maintain it much easier. We'll see. You can read my full story in my profile if interested.

Thank you....With the RNY, there are two suture junctions (anastomosis) which is how they form the "Y". With the MGB, there is only one anastomosis. In an MGB done as an original surgery, they would leave the duodenum attached to the remaining stomach that is left after creating the sleeve, this would allow for the stomach acids to still flow down the intestine and meet the food further down. The newly created sleeve gets attached approximately 7 feet further down on the intestine. This MGB procedure couples the restriction of the sleeve with the malabsorption of bypassing the duodenum and most of the jejunum. This procedure is far less complicated for the surgeon, there are less complications health wise for the patient like bile and acid reflux that can be very common in both the sleeve and RNY. It is less time under sedation, as well as less recovery time, from what I have read. Now, the question I have yet to have answered from anyone is how this procedure differs in those of us who have already been sleeved and no longer have that remaining stomach attached to the duodenum, and therefore, no stomach acids flowing down to aid in digestion. If/when I find out, I will try to remember to update this. I should add that, even though the MGB seems to be the far better choice over RNY, it is still fairly new and not yet approved by the FDA or the ASMBA (American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery) so there is most likely no US insurance that will cover it and also very few US surgeons who will perform it. It has become the preferred procedure of surgeons in Mexico and other countries that don't have all the strict bureaucratic BS to deal with.

As of March 2019 MGB is still not endorsed by the ASMBS ( American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery), nor been FDA approved, so I doubt anyone will find any Insurance to cover it. There aren't even many Doctors in the US who offer it, most likely for the same reason. If you could find a US Dr that offers it, it would undoubtedly be a cash pay basis. It is, however, very popular in Mexico and other Countries, but again, you would be paying cash or using a credit card as I am, through places like Bariatricpal MX or BeLiteWeight and a few others who have low cost deals with reputable hospitals and Surgeons in Mexico.

Hello all, I may be wrong but after reading all of the comments, I believe I am the first Male in here. My name is James. I am 45, happily single with two kids grown and on their own, one with two girls of his own. Yep, I'm a grandpa. I will be going to Dr Illan at Bariatricpal MX, in Tijuana Mexico, on June 15. This will actually be my second surgery, I am doing a revision from VSG to the Mini Gastric Bypass. If any of you are interested I just FINALLY wrote my story in my profile if you're wondering why the revision. So most, if any, questions can be answered there. If anyone has any other questions, feel free to ask. Good luck to all on your upcoming surgeries and in your current battles with insurance. I refuse to deal with all the insurance bureaucracy so I am paying cash for the second time. i know most aren't able to do that, in fact I'm really not this time either, it is going on a credit card and I will deal with it later. haha My health is way more important than my credit score. Anyway, see you all around.

I will be going for VSG to MGB on June 15 with Dr Illan. I'm glad to hear yours is going so well. I had really bad reflux before my VSG but immediately after, it went away, I suppose I was one of the lucky ones in that regard, I hope it does not return. I am curious about the salads...I have tried every kind of lettuce there is, even shredded, and every time it causes severe pain and I throw it right back up. Did you not have this issue with the VSG or is it something that you can now handle since the revision? I would LOVE to be able to eat salads again.

After watching that video, I understand the procedure as it would be as an original procedure where the large section of the stomach is left connected to the intestine and the acids still flow from there to aid in digestion further down the intestine at the junction. My question is this... For those who have already had the VSG, that large portion of stomach has already been removed, so how will the lack of those acids affect the overall efficacy of the MGB. I would imagine the lack of acids to aid digestion would most likely result in an even greater malabsorptive response. While that certainly makes me feel better about a greater chance for long term weight loss success, I imagine it also means keeping a much greater watch over keeping up with Vitamin and other nutritional supplements. Does this sound about right???

I have searched all over google trying to find a picture (animated) of what it looks like to go from VSG to MGB. There are plenty of what the MGB looks like as an original surgery but none that I have found as a revision from VSG. Has anyone found any??

Thank you !!! I was expecting a picture like you would find in Google Images but this video was quite educational.

I have searched all over google trying to find a picture (animated) of what it looks like to go from VSG to MGB. There are plenty of what the MGB looks like as an original surgery but none that I have found as a revision from VSG. Has anyone found any??

Just out of curiosity, what was your original surgery? A VSG, correct? I just find it very odd that you went through not one but TWO bariatric surgeries without this issue being corrected. I can imagine the first going wrong but why in the heck would they do the revision without noticing that the sleeve was too large???

Will be having VSG in Dallas with Dr Dirk on Sept 18th.

Ok, I gave in and tried the chocolate chip cookie dough. The taste is great but they are HARD!! However, the kid working said he eats the same ones and suggested throwing them in the microwave for about 10 seconds so I did.....WOW!! I'm hooked!! But as for taking to work where I have no microwave....No, I don't want to chip a tooth.

Anyone familiar with Forrest Park Med Center in Dallas?? I'm scheduled for VSG with Dr Dirk there on the 23rd.

Tyler, TX...having VSG done in Dallas by Dr. Dirk in about 2 weeks.

Good luck!! Mine will be on the 18th.

Look into Dr Dirk Rodriguez in Dallas and Palestine (once a month). He is really good about doing his best to work around your schedule. He will even do consults by phone so no need to take off work. Drdirkweightloss.com

Tyler, TX

I have never tried them personally but I was just reading another thread with quite a few people saying they had been stalled for a while then cut out the Quest bars and started dropping weight again.

Don't want to be last but nervous about being first. That's funny, but understandable. Good luck and congrats.

Are you guys not using Star Medica or the Dr.s in Juarez any more??

Has anyone had any experience with Dr. Dirk Rodriguez in Dallas/Tyler, TX?? He was supposed to call me yesterday for a scheduled phone consult but didn't, not off to a good start. I was considering him since he is local here in Tyler but thinking I may just stick with Dr Rod in Juarez.

@ TrishaAnn, The only way I have found to Jose Rodriguez is through Belite Weight and the Sleeve is 6800.

Congrats by the way, EmpressB, 40 lbs in a month is awesome!!