So, I was convinced the procedure I wanted was a gastric sleeve... then I did some research and decided that a gastric bypass was the surgery for me. I get a phone call today from JoAnne at BeLiteWeight to schedule my surgery (8/12/17!!!!!) and she mentions a MINI gastric bypass???? I have no idea what this is and it's not as easy to find info on it. Has anyone had one? Is there anything you can tell me? Help!

I feel totally back to normal now. The first 4-5 days I had terrible gas pains but on day 6 I turned a corner and I feel like my old self now. I just started the soft food stage, so that is nice, to have flavour again after all the shakes and broth lol. I am happy to answer any questions that you may have about the MGB. I feel like it is definitely the right decision. The acid reflux problem that you read about is old information. It has resolved the problem by changing the position on the connection to the stomach, it is actually a great option to avoid GERD.

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Awesome! I have mine scheduled for next Saturday. I would love to keep in touch and watch your progress. I've read a lot of info saying that the MGB is a great option to avoid GERD so I'm feeling pretty confident. Is there anything I should have or know to be prepared? Were you able to get around at all in the days after your surgery? Did you use Gas-X strips to help with the gas pains?

Awesome! I have mine scheduled for next Saturday. I would love to keep in touch and watch your progress. I've read a lot of info saying that the MGB is a great option to avoid GERD so I'm feeling pretty confident. Is there anything I should have or know to be prepared? Were you able to get around at all in the days after your surgery? Did you use Gas-X strips to help with the gas pains?

Yes, I used gas x strips all the time in the first few days. I was still able to move around, but the first 2-3 nights I found it difficult to get comfortable while sleeping. Definitely have someone to take care of you the first couple of days though. I would have slept all day and never had my liquids. My husband had to prepare things for me and remind me to drink, because I would have kept putting it off. I started at 243 and this morning I weighed myself and I was 215 already!! Only 16 days out!! You will be so happy. There is also a mini gastric bypass group on Facebook that Dr Rutledge (Dr. who invented MGB) is a part of. He answers all questions usually within a day and the people there are really supportive too. They offer lots of help with what to eat and "is this normal?" Types of things.

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Wow in only 16 days! That's really great. I'm happy for you. I really appreciate you sharing with me. This will help a lot. I'll check out the FB group right now.

3 hours ago, Cambridgemom said:

The acid reflux problem that you read about is old information. It has resolved the problem by changing the position on the connection to the stomach, it is actually a great option to avoid GERD.

1 hour ago, N0VA said:

I've read a lot of info saying that the MGB is a great option to avoid GERD so I'm feeling pretty confident.

this is straight from another surgeon in Mexico who does MGB's:

"Additional Risks with Mini Gastric Bypass Surgery Compared to RNY Gastric Bypass -

Severe acid-reflux: Because the pouch is small and the remainder of the stomach is still connected to the intestines it is possible for gastric juices to travel down the intestines and into the new pouch.

When deciding whether the complication and mortality risks are “worth it”, it’s a good idea to evaluate the potential risks associated with not having surgery."

http://www.golightbariatrics.com/mini-gastric-bypass-surgery/

from the place you are getting your surgery, N0VA, it has this brief blurb: "It has a lower risk for GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) than sleeve gastrectomy."

note that it says it's better than the sleeve. which is true. not better than the RNY.

accept that. move forward with clear and truthful information.

again, i'm not saying the MGB is a bad surgery or not worth the risk. but don't blind yourself to the risk either. the reason you can get it for so cheap in Mexico is because it's a simpler operation. not because it's a better one.

from everything I can tell, in terms of GERD, it's RNY > MGB > VSG. in terms of weight loss, it's MGB > RNY > VSG.

btw - say goodbye to coffee. not allowed after MGB due to higher risk of ulcer and reflux. totally fine after RNY though...

Edited August 5, 20179 yr by JohnnyCakes

After reading my previous posts again, I realize that I misspoke. I am aware that it is in comparison to VSG (while previously I said RNY). Since VSG was my first choice, I still mentally compare the two.

As for the GERD issue in general, I'm not going to worry about it. I am not "blind" to the fact that side effects exist. There are things I don't like for every single procedure. We all have to pick what works best for us. I understand what you're saying that the risk is lower in RNY, but I'm not getting RNY. You mentioned before that it is a ''not rare'' side effect but I'm not entirely sure how accurate that is.

"Bile Reflux Esophagitis (< 1% of patients)" - (http://www.bariatric-surgery-source.com/mini-gastric-bypass-surgery.html#Downsides-Main)

Also, I don't think I'd ever think that something that is cheaper is better? I'm not sure why you think that about me but ..ok. If money was the only thing I was thinking about here, I'd have a few cheaper options.

PS: I'm sorry if it seemed like I was creating a competition between RNY and MGB. That wasn't my intention. I was just curious to know how they are different.

Edited August 5, 20179 yr by N0VA