LapBand with Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy ?

JesseD · July 24, 2006

Has anyone heard of this done together? I seen Dr. Eldo Frezza in Lubbock, TX, and this is the surgery he does. I have been trying to find info on this, but only find info on each procedure done alone, not done together. Any info would be very helpful. Thanks, Jesse

paula · July 24, 2006

Jesse, I strickly read only this board - so Im not up on the lastest and greatest weightloss surgeries.

But - IMHO - something about this procedure (having BOTH done at the same time) scares me. If the patient starts having problems, how are they to determine if its the band or the VS... get where Im coming from?

Plus, its such a new procedure that there isnt enough patients to gather good/bad info from...

Just be cautious!

1slowloser · July 24, 2006

Has anyone heard of the 30 minute mini gastric bypass? I know this is a lapband website but would like to know if anyone heard of it?

Dody · July 24, 2006

I have not heard of either of these procedures, and wonder why a lapband would be needed with the sleeve surgery. I am a retired nurse, but I've been retired a number of years now and am not up on the newest things out there. I thought Gastric Bypass took quite awhile to complete, but I'm no expert. I think you will be better served by others on here that have more knowledge of present operations.

JulieNYC · July 24, 2006

I've read about the sleeve with the band. The theory is that there are emzymes that the stomach produces and that cutting out a portion of the stomach (and these enzymes) facilitates weightloss. Then, a couple of years after the sleeve, you start getting fills. The band is like a back-up for the sleeve.

I considered the mini gastric bypass (the reversible one that's done primarily by one doc in NC) but then I learned about the band and wanted to stay local. The band was the right choice for me, but new techniques are certainly interesting and I'll follow them in case something ever goes awry with my band.

1slowloser · July 24, 2006

I'm glad someone out there know what I'm talking about (the mini bypass). I've been banded since 3-17-06 and have not lost so much as 15lbs. I see that lots of members post rapid weight loss in short periods of time. I've asked on several occassions how did they loose the weight so quickly did they use diet pills, supplements, etc.? No one will respond. I've done everything, exercise, Protein supplements, phetermine, 64oz of Water daily. I'm beginning to think this was a bad idea and the only thing i've lost is time and $15,000.00.(my insurance didnt cover the procedure.

niche · July 24, 2006

1slowloser, do you have good restruction? i ask as i only lost 15 lbs in the forst 3 months or so because i had no restriction.

niche · July 24, 2006

in the lapband with VSG, it seems like it might be a good idea because the VSG has a banded stoma but it was not adjustable. so the band might actually be a good improvement on the surgery. also, can anyone tell me what a mini-bypass is? i don't understand the difference b/w the traditional one and this.

JulieNYC · July 24, 2006

The big difference is that the mini-bypass is reversible. However, I've only seen one group of doctors doing it. I'm sure there are more, but there's no one in NYC who does it. I wasn't willing to do something where the aftercare wasn't local for me, so it wasn't a real consideration.

Before I gave up on the band, I would change fill doctors. You might think you have proper restriction, but if you're not losing weight and you're not making really poor food choices, my money would be on not having the right level of restriction (in either direction -- too tight or too loose).

In any event, here's a link to one of the mini bypass sites I found in my research. I don't specifically recommend it (as you know, I chose the band), it just might give you a head start in your research.

http://clos.net/mgb_drawing01.htm

Good luck!

paula · July 24, 2006

I've asked on several occassions how did they loose the weight so quickly did they use diet pills, supplements,etc.? No one will respond.

I must've not seen this - cause I wouldve responded :biggrin1:

Im very open about my usage of diet pills. I prefer Tenuate (generic) taken with a little food or protien shake preferbally around noon time. The pills are oblong so I break them in half and take just 1/2 a day - when needed. I might take one everyday for 4 or 5 days, then not take another one for 3, 4 days or even a week later. PRN - as needed.

When I was first banded and discouraged in weightloss, I remember using the diet pills more often, maybe every day? cant remember. But I DO remember thinking that I would do whatever it takes to get the weight off - even if it was taking the diet pills WITH the band.

As for now, I stay around 180 and when I feel a weight gain OR see that my eating has increased (esp. around my period) I pop the Tenuate. ALSO - if I dont have a bm in 3 days I will take gen peri-colace tablets for a couple of days to get things flowing .

Dont mean to steal the thread topic, but I did want to repond to you.

Im also very interested in reading about the other forms of WLS. So now there's a mini-bypass?

niche · July 24, 2006

i see, it is basically a sleeve pouch with the intestine connected downstream at 1 point instead of cut and reconnected at 2 points. thanks for the info!