VBLOC?

I have a friend who is in the screening process for VBLOC Therapy at the hospital I had my WLS at.  What's VBLOC?

It's an product, in the investigational stage, that blocks the nerve signals from your vagal nerves to the brain.  It's something discovered back in the day of treating GERD with severing the nerves.  It worked for GERD, and triggered weight loss

.

He wants opinions.  He's terrified of malabsorptive weight loss surgery procedures, and wants something that's going to work, but won't cause any icky side effects.  I'm reading about the VBLOC, and while it seems like, "Ooh, fun, give it a whirl!"  It's still in the investigation stage, and this part really stuck out to me, "may be turned off." 

Oh, that and, when you're done with the study - holy fast regain Batman.

I don't know about this.  I'm still saying "lap-band."  This seems way too temporary for someone that wants long-term weight loss.

Comments

[S.S]

I have been accepted for VBLOC, I am to sign the hospital docs tomorrow. I had one visit with the Dr last Thursday and they want to operate on me within 2 weeks. I am asking if anyone out there is on the trial is it worth it...should I wear the belt for 5 years? I just dont know now. My hubby is saying that they'll leave the electrodes in you for life, only remove if something is wrong. I am feeling like I'm going to pull the plug on this? Please post a comment..anyone. S.

[terry]

Hi - I read your vbloc concerns. I had mine implanted on August 4th. It took a week before I went back for the battery pack. You get to meet with a nutritionist and the entromedics representative ( the people who make the vbloc). Why not do it. You will be in surgery for little while and feel bad for a few days after. You can decide how long you want to wear the belt. Hopefully after a couple of years, the nutrionist will of been more help than anything and the BIG plus is that it is FREE. Have you talked to the doctor about Lap Band. Once I talked to the doctor about lap band, sleeve and gastric bypass, I was excited about vbloc. Lap Band has some serious problems. As for the implant, they do leave it in forever but it's kind of like a pacemaker. You get a card that says you have an implant. Good Luck with whatever you decide. Terry

[nj]

Hi Terry. I am in the process of writing a paper about VBLOC and sould like the view of a participant. Now let me add that I am doing so because I am considering it for myself. can you please contact me and let me know how the process was and how are you feeling with all of it
thank you
nj

[sdnursetobe]

Hi Terry, I too had my VBLOC implanted during the summer and wonder how you are doing? I've lost only about 13lbs which is not as much as I expected. I'm having a hard time with my eating diary and doing the daily activity.....just not enough time in a day. I'm almost sure that I am one of the participants turned "ON" since I can feel the electrical sensation going up my vagal nerve and I do feel less hungry, I just have a hard time staying away from the high calorie foods. Are you having any difficulties? Would like to hear from other vblocer's since this is a study, the staff at Scripp's can't say much about other participants.
Hope to hear from you soon,
Thanks.

[Terry]

Hi nj and sdnurse to be
I just went back to the doctor for my 3 month check. I'm down 41 pounds- Yeah! My battery pack has broken 3 times but each time, they replace it. The staff that is working with me is so incredibly nice and concerned. The nutrionist is very caring and offers many suggestions to help break the old habits. Each time I have an appointment, there is usually another person in the waiting room. I've met two others and email them regularly. We all think that we are turned on and feel the wierd feeling in the chest. I hope that you do great. It is such a blessing - so far - to be included in this study. It's exciting to be one of the first to try it especially since it seems to be working. I have the halter monitor on right now for an hour. They monitor your heart and lab work regularly. Good luck to all that are in the study. We get to meet after a year which will be fun to hear the stories. Good Luck!

[Mary]

I too had the surgery the end of June and would love to touch base with others via email. Anyone else interested?

[bobug]

Hi all,
I had the Vbloc surgery back in July 24, 2008. So far I've only lost 3 lbs. I'm very frustrated with it. I feel the burning sensations in my chest but I don't think mine is turned on. I think everybody feels that sensation cuz the therepy is on 5 minutes and off 5 minutes weather it is the real therepy or the fake. Sounds like other's have had good results from it. Also I always feel hungry

[terry]

Hi vbloc women - Hope all is going good. The weight is starting to come off a little slower and is a little frustrating. What are you doing to keep it coming off?

[sandilife]

I've had the implant for close to a year. I've lost close to 70 pounds since I started the program. I'm interested in talking to others in the study as well. I don't have the tingling feeling and I still get hungry but the results have been great so far. I can't wait to see if it's on! I'd love to chat with others in the study so drop me a line.