This is interesting for those considering the sleeve....

[Guest HarleyGirl@LBT]

Obesity Surgery Performed Through Vagina, U.S. First

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[Guest MacMadame@LBT]

You want to do surgery through my hooha?!

Just kidding... it sounds interesting.

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[Guest motivated@LBT]

hahaha! very funny! I had a lapband but my hubby is slated for an M&M (very similiar to sleeve but they leave half of your stomach in you) Anyway, can he have it done through his hooha!!!! Closest thing to childbirth he'll ever get!!!!

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[Guest youknowit@LBT]

I know this is off topic, but can you tell me more about the M&M procedure (what does that standfor), and how I can learn more? Why is he getting this specific surgery?

Hope to hear back, and best to your husband on his surgery. :smile:

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[Guest MacMadame@LBT]

M&M stands for Magenstrasse and Mill. I tried to find a picture of it but can't. I've seen them online though. It's a lot like the sleeve in that they staple up the stomach against a 32f boughie. But they start at the top and then don't go all the way down.

Here's a picture:

http://www.amiciobesi.it/RISORSE/IMG/magenstrasse.jpg

I would think one advantage is that it's reversible but one disadvantage is that the pieces of the stomach could grow back together. Also, the part that makes ghrelin is still there.

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[Guest MacMadame@LBT]

M&M stands for Magenstrasse and Mill. It's a lot like the sleeve in that they staple up the stomach against a 32f boughie. But they start at the top and then don't go all the way down.

Here's a picture:

http://www.amiciobesi.it/RISORSE/IMG/magenstrasse.jpg

I would think one advantage is that it's reversible but one disadvantage is that the pieces of the stomach could grow back together. Also, the part that makes ghrelin is still there.

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[Guest motivated@LBT]

Hi there... Thanks, MacMadame for the info!... but, we just got bad news. Our ins. has denied that procedure:mad2: They won't cover the sleeve either. Our Dr. feels my hubby won't be successful with the band (he's 459) so he may have to have a vgb... hope our ins covers that... I'm thrilled with my LapBand..2 weeks and 2 days out from my surgery-funny, now I'm feeling a bit tired!

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[Guest MacMadame@LBT]

The VBG procedure is not commonly done any more. It had poor results and lots of complications. Where are you that people are still doing it?

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[Guest motivated@LBT]

Hi there... We are in CT. Our Dr. does not do the Sleeve. But, a friend of my mother-in-law is in FL and she is getting the sleeve done there:smile:

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[Guest MacMadame@LBT]

I thought you were going to say you were in another country!

I love my sleeve. Be sure to look into all the surgeries before deciding though. They all have good points and bad points.

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[Guest motivated@LBT]

I thought you were going to say you were in another country!

I love my sleeve. Be sure to look into all the surgeries before deciding though. They all have good points and bad points.

Hi there... it's me again. I mis-read your first post... Our Dr. In New Haven CT highly recommends the VBG or vgb it's one of his signature procedures- he wanted me to have it but I really wanted the LapBand. I know 4 people who had him do their VBG (one lady I met in the hairdressers!) the only thing that I found through research was in the long term, it seems the LapBand has better results (like after 5 years). Any information you have is greatly appreciated! Thanks from snowy CT:smile2:

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[Guest MacMadame@LBT]

Well the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons has this to say about VBG:

ASBS - American Society for Bariatric Surgery

For myself, I don't like the idea of the mesh band they place around the top of the pouch. That kind of mesh often leads to infected tissue and creates a lot of scar tissue that can cause other problems. It also makes it extremely difficult to revise at a later date if you have problems because it can be near impossible to get the band out of the equation.

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[Guest Lyn2481@LBT]

Lol, it's kinda like giving birth to your own stomach.

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[Guest 505dardar@LBT]

Hi Mac,

I got a VBG in 1991. Worked for about a year and now I have gained all my weight back plus more. I did not have any complications at all but now I need a revision. Don't know what to do. Would love a sleeve, band seems like alot of complications as a revision and I live in a state where there is no aftercare. What would you suggest for me to look into. Thanks!!!

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[Guest MacMadame@LBT]

I think a VBG to VSG is a pretty natural operation. You would just be taking out the band and finishing the transection of the stomach. I'd think you could probably revise to a bypass as well, but I'm not sure about the band. That might be trickier because your stomach has a hole in it now.

Both of the surgeons at LapSF (where I went) have done VBG to sleeve revisions including at least one I know about that was VERY HAIRY because the band was so embedded into the stomach. But this person was on a liquid diet for over a year beforehand due to problems with her VBG. So it was totally worth it for her. In fact, it probably saved her life.

But if you aren't having big problems, I would guess your operation wouldn't be as hairy as hers was. You would still want to go to someone very experienced with revisions, even if you have to travel to find them. Revisions have higher risks so experience is even more important than it is when your stomach is a "virgin."

If you do get a VBG to sleeve revision, the aftercare can be handled by your PCP so that shouldn't be an issue.

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Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com