Dee43

This is NOT true. I had this surgery. I had this surgery 16 MONTHS ago and have worked very hard to lose over 150 pounds. And it IS malabsorptive! I do absorb calories and luckily Vitamins. I have worked extremely hard to diet and exercise. I keep myself to under a 1000 calories a day and exercise like crazy! Since my band is Permanent, I can not play the games that Adjustable Lap Band people play, where they do not get fills and eat and eat! I always have restriction. Even though, I could eat a ton of ice cream, soda, etc. I just choose to not do that. I have to discipline myself. Dee

I had Vertical Banded Gastroplasy in May, 2005. I have lost over 150 pounds. It is NOT Malabsorptive. It is like the lap-band that you all have only you cannot adjust the band. You have permanent restriction. You do absorb all of the calories and vitamins. I do not have to worry about absorbing enough vitamins, etc. I just take a multi-vitamin and a calcium pill. I have had to be very dedicated to my diet and exercise. I do absorb all my calories! Whoever posted that this was malabsorbitvie is mis-informed. Thanks, Dee

It was a joke...sorry it didn't come across as such. This forum is getting a bit fiesty for me.__________________ Maybe you should find another forum.

What program featured this topic? Thanks

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

I am so glad that you posted your post. I recently purchased a Tony Little Gazelle. It cost about $200.00. I had trouble putting it together and then did not like it. Of course, like a yahoo, I had thrown out the box it came in. I wanted to send it back, yet learned it would cost me a fortune to get a "customized box" (remember I disposed of the original). Seeing all of your posts really cheered me up. I have learned a valuable lesson. I live in an apartment and do not have room for extra junk. Dee

I would like to be able to adjust the band to be less tight (less restriction). However, mine is permanent and not adjustible. It has been 5 weeks since my surgery and I am mostly surviving on liquids. I have an opening the size of a M & M candy. Do you all have the same size opening. I am envious when I read about some of the foods that the people on this website talk about eating (even if in small quantities). I can't imagine ever being able to eat any real food. I think since my band is permanent, it will always be this tight. Dealing with Aetna was a nightmare. They refused to even consider the lap-band surgery, claimed it was "experimental". They would only pay for the more evasive Vertical Banded Gastroplasty. I really wish that I could have had the lap band surgery instead. However, it is too late. I had to argue and fight with Aetna for like 2 years. I finally won an appeal. Janice

Thanks for the website. It looks interesting. I had Vertical Banded Glastroplasty surgery on May 24, 2005. I have lost about 30 lbs. I read everyone's posts with great interest and this website has been a great friend to me. My surgery is different than the lap-band surgery. I cannot adjust my band so I feel like I am in a current state of how you guys feel after you have been just filled. I wish that I could adjust my band. My insurance company (Aetna) would only pay for the Vertical Banded Glastorplasy not lapband I am hoping that things get easier for me and that I will have more food options. Do any of you know anyone who has had this surgery? Janice

I have been reading all of the information on this website and I feel like I will never be able to eat any of the kinds of food you guys are able to eat. I really wanted lap-band surgery;howver, my insurance company would only cover the Vertical Banded Gastroplasty (Aetna). I am sad that I can never adjust my band. Do you all also have a small opening (the size of an M & M) for food to go through? I had my surgery on May 24, 2005. I have lost about 30 lbs. There are still days where I can only tolerate liquids. I have tried to eat a little bit of chicken and cannot tolerate it. Mostly I am doing protein drinks. I was at the doctor's office last week and there was a woman who had had the surgery a year ago. She still can not eat any poultry or meat of any kind. I read about you guys eating chicken, salad and PIZZA and I want to cry. Right now I wish that I had not had the surgery at all and would not recommend it to anyone. Janice

Hi Everyone, This is my first post. I had the Vertical Banded Gastroplasty on May 24th. Is this the correct online community for me or is there one that is specific to the Vertical Banded Gastroplasty? If there is, does anyone know the email address? Are there other people in this community who have had the same surgery? I know that the lap-band surgery is different and can be adjusted. It has been about 5 weeks since my surgery and I wonder if I'll ever be able to tolerate any solids? Thanks, Janice