Why don't more people get the MGB? I had mine on April 27th and it has gone so smoothly that I often forget I have it. My friend has a different surgeon and he is resistant saying that there are more complications and risk of reflux. However, they are bypassing the stomach so there can't be gastric reflux and there is a technique or stitch that they can do to prevent or minimize the risk of bile reflux. It seems with only 1 connection that the risks are smaller. Why do so many surgeons not offer this. I absolutely love mine!

My recovery has been great and so far I've lost over 60 pounds and that includes a 3 week stall. I absolutely feel restriction which is great and what I want. I do feel hungry and sometimes starving but I can eat a snack like a boiled egg and then I'm satisfied and full for hours. I don't dump and have no heartburn or reflux. I know my surgeon did the stitch to prevent bile reflux and so far it works. It seems that I can eat anything but just in smaller portion sizes. I only count fluid and protein. I stopped counting calories because it is a real effort to exceed 1000 at this point. Maybe because my favorite things are tri-tip steak and salad or scallops and veggies. When we eat out, I've learned to order al a carte or just bring home the leftovers for another meal or two. Most important is that I don't dump. That really terrified me. I can eat sweets but I've found that I have no interest in them anymore. One bite is all I need and I'm done. I had a small piece of cake at my niece's wedding and I didn't get sick but I didn't want more either. It was nice for a celebration.

Is my experience unique? I still have 50 lbs to lose and at some point I know it will slow and be more difficult but isn't it that way with all WLS methods? Why aren't there more MGB patients?

On 12/18/2018 at 12:40 PM, ummyasmin said:

I don't mind being on it, hey, what's another pill right. Although the "for life" thing surprised me coz most peeps here only seem to be on it 6 months or so. I think I better email and ask.

There are many concerns with being on PPIs for an extended period of time (i.e. more than 6 months) as they weren’t designed/approved/studied for that kind of dosage. Do your research regarding increased health risks with long term PPI usage (e.g. dementia, bone fractures, heart attack, kidney disease, liver issues, hypomagnesemia, c. difficile & pneumonia infections,...).

The is why people must do their research. I've spent months reading forums and articles before choosing RNY and I'm glad I have!

My insurance won’t pay for the mini-bypass. They consider it experimental or something...otherwise I definitely would’ve been looking into it.

I am scheduled for the MGB on Nov 26th. I was originally going to get the sleeve, but due to my acid reflux issue, the doc wants to do a MGB. If I could choose, I would have a RNY. The risk of acid or bile reflux from the MGB is there and I can't stop thinking about it. Unfortunately, my doc refuses to perform a RNY on me. It's either a MGB or nothing. I have read many happy posts about the MGB so I'm starting to feel better about it. Thanks for the info!!

What exactly is the difference between RNY and MGB?

My insurance won’t pay for the mini-bypass. They consider it experimental or something...otherwise I definitely would’ve been looking into it.

My insurance won't pay for it either! Just RNY and sleeve.

On 11/20/2019 at 3:04 PM, Superman84 said:

What exactly is the difference between RNY and MGB?

With RNY, you bypass the stomach and reattach at two different places. With MGB, you bypass the stomach but reattach at only 1 place. There is less intestinal re-routing and it takes less time in the operating room. The MGB has much less chance for dumping and is generally safer. It does pose the risk of bile reflux but there are ways to help avoid or minimize that with the anti-reflux stitch and watching portion sizes. RNY has less chance of bile reflux but a greater chance of dumping.

There is no perfect surgery. You can get bile reflux after having a gallbladder out. It happens more than people realize but you don't see the medical profession against removing a gallbladder. I don't know why some won't recommend the MGB for that reason. Overall, it is a safer surgery than RNY.

With RNY, you bypass the stomach and reattach at two different places. With MGB, you bypass the stomach but reattach at only 1 place. There is less intestinal re-routing and it takes less time in the operating room. The MGB has much less chance for dumping and is generally safer. It does pose the risk of bile reflux but there are ways to help avoid or minimize that with the anti-reflux stitch and watching portion sizes. RNY has less chance of bile reflux but a greater chance of dumping.
There is no perfect surgery. You can get bile reflux after having a gallbladder out. It happens more than people realize but you don't see the medical profession against removing a gallbladder. I don't know why some won't recommend the MGB for that reason. Overall, it is a safer surgery than RNY.

My insurance also wouldn't pay for it. I did look into it but the cost was about 18000. I didnt even have to pay half that for regular bypass after my insurance got a hold of it. All in all I have no complaints though. I've had no issues so far.

17 minutes ago, MsMocie said:

I finally came clean to my doctor on friday about the surgery. Had mine abroad and didn't want to tell anyone, and as long as I kept that a secret I had control over the information flow inbound. Now it is my charts (yes, I realize it had to be done for my own safety, I am just not comfortable with it beeing out there for any health care provider to read - So I limited acess to the charts so only my GP can see that note) and I do not feel at all comfortable with it. No regrets to the surgery - I just wanted to handle this on my own terms.

Anyway. The reason for it beeing out is because I had some gallbladder issues and went to hospital. And what I found out is: Here they don't know what a mini gastric bypass is. "Are you sure it is not a sleeve?" and I'm like No, it is a mini gastric bypass. The doctors: Ah, yes a gastric bypass. And I'm like, NO, a MINI gastric bypass. And doctors trying to use their brains to what kind of surgery this is.

There is a freaking difference and though they essentially do the same, there are SOME differences. And then I find myself explaing what they actually did with the stomach and intestines. Quite scaring if you ask me.

Not a health care professional, just an average jane nutritionist.

What are the differences sorry if you've explained before?

On 11/24/2019 at 10:53 AM, UnderTheCaliSun said:

With RNY, you bypass the stomach and reattach at two different places. With MGB, you bypass the stomach but reattach at only 1 place. There is less intestinal re-routing and it takes less time in the operating room. The MGB has much less chance for dumping and is generally safer. It does pose the risk of bile reflux but there are ways to help avoid or minimize that with the anti-reflux stitch and watching portion sizes. RNY has less chance of bile reflux but a greater chance of dumping.

There is no perfect surgery. You can get bile reflux after having a gallbladder out. It happens more than people realize but you don't see the medical profession against removing a gallbladder. I don't know why some won't recommend the MGB for that reason. Overall, it is a safer surgery than RNY.

Dumping is a positive side effect of RNY, imo. It's what keeps me on track.

My insurance didn’t cover It. That might be a reason. So it wasn’t an option for me

I was told it isn't FDA Approved so most insurance companies won't pay for it. That's why I went to Tijuana to get mine. I haven't had a problem yet!!

5 weeks out here on MGB. I can easily do 1.2k to 1.3k calories and dont look weird when i eat outside. I also can do over 100oz liquids (i wait 45 minutes after food) . Still managed to lose 30 pounds (231 - > 201).

No dumping so far, been taking sweet drinks (less sugar types) , watermelon juice and even occasional slice of cakes. Funny enough, though I can take any tough meat that you can throw at me, I dont do too well with rice and noodles though.

My surgeon said she recommends MGB over all others coz its quicker operating time, same recovery and better long term results.

Had mine done March 16th. Love it. The whole process has been amazing.

Not had dumping yet but had foamies and vomiting twice coz i tried moving up to solids too quickly. Lesson learned!

On 1/22/2020 at 2:03 PM, ANew-Life said:

5 weeks out here on MGB. I can easily do 1.2k to 1.3k calories and dont look weird when i eat outside. I also can do over 100oz liquids (i wait 45 minutes after food) . Still managed to lose 30 pounds (231 - > 201).

No dumping so far, been taking sweet drinks (less sugar types) , watermelon juice and even occasional slice of cakes. Funny enough, though I can take any tough meat that you can throw at me, I dont do too well with rice and noodles though.

I tried strawberries and chicken but got foamies. Deffo not ready.

I'm 4wks out today.