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| Vertical Banded Gastroplasty |
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One of the most common surgical weight loss procedures in the past has been the Vertical Banded Gastroplasty, also known as VBG. As the Gastric Bypass and Adjustable Gastric Band surgeries become more popular, the VBG is becoming less common, as it is seen as a more serious surgical procedure.
The basis of the procedure is to use both bands and staples to create a smaller stomach pouch. Because of this, the VBG is often referred to as Stomach Stapling, but a gastric stapling procedure uses just staples for such a restrictive surgery, while the VBG uses bands in conjunction with staples. |
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Vertical Banded Gastroplasty as a Surgical Weight Loss Procedure
The reason a Vertical Banded Gastroplasty is considered a more serious procedure than Gastric Bypass is because of the need to go back into the body and remove the bands after a certain period of time. With this, the VBG is considered a temporary solution, rather than a permenant reduction of the stomach, but it will require at least two surgeries in the long run.
During the initial surgery, a band and staples will be used to create a small stomach pouch, with a 1-cm hole so that the pouch contents can flow into the stomach and through the gastrointestinal tract. This small pouch creates a restriction on the amount of food a patient will be able to consume after the surgery, as well it slows the passage of food, making patients feel full for longer and producing the desired weight loss results.
Many VBG surgeries are often combined with a technique called malabsorptive, where part of the digestive tract is bypassed to reduce the number of calories and nutrients that are absorbed into the blood stream. Once you begin combining techniques, these are then called bypass surgeries, as surgeons are bypassing part of the tract to achieve the desired results.
Because the band is removable, the surgery is completely reversible, but the bands are likely to create scar tissue that has to be removed, depending on how long it has been since the VBG was put in place. Removing the staples also means stitching the stomach back together where the staples were, making the second surgery a relatively risky one that can have serious medical complications.
Since this is considered a major surgery, only certain candidates will be recommended for the procedure. In most cases, those patients are ones that are morbidly obese and have had little success with other weight loss options. They must also be in good health otherwise to proceed with the surgery.
Remember as well that the Vertical Banded Gastroplasty, or any other weight loss surgery, is not a magic pill. Research shows that only 30% of patients achieved a normal BMI weight, while 80% received some weight loss results. Those that had the most success continued a plan of diet and exercise for a lifetime.
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