I'm now almost 4 months out from having a LapBand to VG conversion and I would like to summarize my experience.

Positives

1. "Caught food", Sliming, etc is almost a non issue. I have had it happen ONCE off of overcooked eggs, and one other time off of chicken was not chewed up well enough, both times I tried to drink Water afterword. This is in contrast to the same issue that would happen several times per week, sometimes several times per day with the band.

I can now eat chicken (even white meat!) , pork, beef, bread, raw vegetables, citrus, etc, (All of these would get caught with my band during proper restriction) without worying where the nearest bathroom is. I do stay away from overcooked eggs (mostly scrambled) though.

2. Back pain is completely gone! My surgeon concurs with my belief that either the port or band was setting off a few nerves which would cause referral pain to my back.

3. Very little hunger. What hunger does exist is taken care of nearly IMMEDIATELY after eating.

4. Alcohol makes me DRUNK very fast and with very little of it, but I hardly drink anyway.

5. NO food RESTRICTIONS (after a while). The first 10 weeks I had some pretty undesirable dumping effects from fats and sugars, even from basic Protein shakes. Most of these effects have disappeared.

I still dump from very high sugar content foods (maybe more than 25grams of sugar), but this can vary. For instance, I have eaten a Drumstick brand sundae cone and haven't dumped, even though it contains quite a bit of sugar. I can also eat approximately 4 oreos without dumping, yet if I were to immediately "chase" it with liquid, thus "washing it through", I would most likely dump, at least if it were early in the day. For some reason, dumping is worse in the morning.

Dumping seems to occur in about 10% of VG patients, and is assumed to go away. I suspect it will disappear completely within a year.

On a related note, I get tired of many artificially processed type foods such as oreos, snack foods, etc. For some reason, my senses of taste have changed and have become extremely turned off by artificial flavorings. Many such products will make me queesy, but they will not make me dump.

Also, if I eat and then "Wash through" the food, I am not hungry again like I was with the LapBand. As far as I can tell, it is next to impossible to "Wash through" any solid protein source or fruit/vegetable... I have yet to do it, the water simply goes through around the food.

6. I CAN BURP!!! No more "stuck air" that has to take the long way out. I have virtually no gas now, unless of course, I eat a gassy food like bell peppers.

Negatives:

1. Acid reflux. I ABSOLUTELY MUST take a proton pump inhibitor daily, otherwise I will have moderate heartburn. This effect is supposed to fade over 6-12 months as the pouch stretches, but I have had little to no stretching as of yet, and am becoming annoyed with this side effect.

2. Initial dumping. As I stated earlier, this effect is mostly gone, but it can sneak up if I eat junky/processed/fast food. Or items with alot of sugar and then "chase them down" with water or such. Dumping seems to occur in about 10% of VG patients, and is assumed to go away. I suspect it will disappear completely within a year.

3. It can be difficult to drink fluids. One must CONSTANTLY remember to drink enough Fluid, BEFORE eating, otherwise you may subject yourself to dumping induced by washthrough, or worse, the water may come back up.

4. You may be fatigued for up to the first year after surgery, this comes from the severe caloric restriction and weight loss. My first 10 weeks were hellishly draining. I no longer have energy problems as long as I get my 150grams of whey protein per day and FORCE myself to eat enough each day.

OVERALL

I am totally satisfied. I am currently at 223, the slimmest I've ever been and am still losing weight. Mind you, the lowest weight I ever attained via LapBand was 238, and that was with a constant "I'm starving" sensation. That physical sensation is now gone.

While it was VERY easy to "out eat" the band, it is fairly difficult to outeat my VG, sure it may be possible with carb laden foods that compress down to nothing when chewed, but overall, the physical desire eat, AKA hunger pangs, have simply been removed.

Related to this last point, I should reiterate the fact that I must FORCE MYSELF to eat enough protein to keep up with my active lifestyle (surgeon is recommending 150g-250g per day total). When I say FORCE myself to eat, I don't really know how to explainit, other than the fact that once I consume a certain amount of calories, I no longer have the desire to eat. I could fill up my calories with relatively empty carbohydrates which will leave me tired the next day, or I can eat all of my protein first and then consume carbohydrates if I feel like it.

In other words, I could physically eat more at the end of the day, but after a certain quantity of calories, I simply cannot mentally stomach another bite of food. For lack of a better explanantion, it's almost as if the "eat food" circuit in my brain shuts off at this point.

I hear about this V.G. after band removal and I am very curious as to what it is. I had my band out in Aug 05 and banded again in Jan06, I was never told about this V.G.

I have a question on the possibility of a later conversion to DS and/or the two-stage thing.

The DS stomach is about 4-6 ounces. The RnY--and apparently the VG--stomach is only 1-2 ounces.

From my understanding of the matter, the stomach stretches and grows rather quickly after both procedures, which is why the VG makes the stomach in the 2-3oz range. This size would be impractical in the long run.

From what I have been told, the stomach of an average VG patient should be anywhere between 4-16oz in the long run, depending on the person. The same thing happens with DS patients.

Most VG patients who need additional weight loss can convert to RnY or DS easily.

I hear about this V.G. after band removal and I am very curious as to what it is. I had my band out in Aug 05 and banded again in Jan06, I was never told about this V.G.

This is a VG: http://www.lapsf.com/weight-loss-surgeries.html

Anthony-

I had the V.B.G. last may. It sounds and looks a lot like the photo for the V.G.? Do you have staples and a non-adjustable band. That is what I have it is like a permanent band that can not be adjusted and I also have staples. I do not have the sleeve. I had my surgery in May, 2005. I have lost 121 lbs. so far. What awful side effects are you aware of with the V.B.G.?

Thanks,

Dee

What's the cost for the VG sleeve? Can you have the surgery in Mexico or Europe?

Thanks

What's the cost for the VG sleeve? Can you have the surgery in Mexico or Europe?

Thanks

It costs about $16,000 in the US.

I'd imagine that you could have it done in other countries.

It's pretty afordable in the US. It is done in Mexico by some docs and in Europe as well. If you're interested in Europe, look at Dr. Baltasar in Spain. He's done the most... and is one of the originators of the VSG as a stand-alone procedure. He also has impecible credentials.

It's done in Brazil as well by Dr. Marchenisi (?sp...check www.duodenalswitch.com for correct spelling and website.)

If you go the VSG message board/forum on Obesity Help you can find a list of surgeons. There are also FAQs at http://www.beadbaker.com/VSG/

I think Dr Joya does this in Mexico.....I had a band but he also does this here is his link...he is a great doc....clean clean hospital

http://www.drjoya.com/gastricsleeve.html

is this what you are talking about?

THanks for sharing your experience Anthony! The VG definitely sounds like an option that I could hang with... I am struggling in regards to possibly having my band removed and hearing the positives of your surgery really gives me hope that there might be an effective alternative. I hope you will continue to updat on your progress from time to time. Congratulations on your success!

Just an update. Last week I weighed in at 213. I am now regaining enough energy to exercise regularly and maintain my previously physical intensive hiking and gym schedule.

Dumping is next to non existent.

I am 13 pounds from my original set goal of 200, but I may be able to lose down to 180 with some serious training.

Once this hellish SoCal heat dies down, I'm sure I'll be at my goal in no time.

P.S. This lack of physical hunger is amazing!

Hey Anthony! It sounds like you're doing fabulous!! We'd love to see some pictures if you get a chance. :scalesno:

Anthony - Im SO glad you came and updated. Thanks!

Im just a little concerned over why youre just now getting enough energy to exercise regularly? Its been 5 months since this sugery... you been sick or something?

Simply put, lack of calories=lack of energy. More specifically, I think low intake of "real foods" (rather than Protein shakes)equals lower energy levels.

According to LapSF, it can take up to 2 years for people to adjust to WLS level calorie intake, regardless of the surgery type.

I experienced the same effect for about the first 3 months of having the band.

Anthony, thanks for posting - good info.

Thanks for posting this. I would like to see you stick around and keep us updated, as there are quite a few people that have had to have their bands removed and your information will help a lot of them I am sure.

Amazing job you are doing even without exercise!