Hi! I just found this site today and it has already made me feel better. I had my VBG done on 10/27/05 by Dr. Noel Williams in Philadelphia. When I went into surgery it was for an RNY but they found that my small intestine was too short to do the procedure safely so they did a VBG. Needless to say when I found that out I was really upset because I had counted on the RNY keeping me on the straight and narrow. I was scared because I had no real info on the VBG. I belong to a website connected to my surgical group but 99.9% of the members are bypass pts. and I found it very discouraging to hear of these rapid weight losses and I was losing 1-2 lbs/week. When I had my initial consult I weighed 330 lbs. at the time of surgery I was 296lbs. I am currently 245.5 headed to a goal of 130-150. I am 5'3". I have had alot of PBing but that is settling down. I can't tell you how good it was to find this site. Thanks for being there. Barbaraa:)

What is VBG?

Wow, I've heard of docotors deciding to do the procedure open instead of lap, but I've never heard of a doctor completely changing the procedure the patient is supposed to receive. Did you give them advanced permission to do this? Was it part of the surgeon's conditions for operating?

Why do you think you're PBing so much? Are you still learning how to eat & chew? Are you over-filled?

Welcome Barb!

I can only imagine your frustration at trying to get advice and encouragement from bypassers! Welcome to a great bunch of bansters, although most of us here have the lapband. Different procedure and all but I would imagine the eating lifestyles would be similar. I think you'll feel right at home in no time. Ask lots of questions and browse through the boards. There is so much here to see!

VBG - Vertical Banded Gastroplasty

http://www.homanmd.com/Vertical%20Banded%20Gastroplasty.htm

LapBand - Adjustable Gastric Banding

http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu/dept/cs/divisions/obesity/surgical_lapband.html