Vertical Banded Gastroplasty Beneficial for Those Morbidly Obese

The vertical banded gastroplasty creates a small vertical pouch in the stomach so that the amount of food eaten is limited.

The surgery is typically performed through an incision several inches long, but can also be done laparoscopically.

A pouch is created by stapling the stomach vertically near the esophagus.

A band is used to secure the opening between:

• The small pouch and
• The remainder of the stomach.

Because the stapling and band create a small pouch, once a person who has had the vertical banded gastroplasty procedure performed eats they quickly feel full.

Performed under general anesthesia, those receiving a vertical banded gastroplasty can expect a hospital stay of four or five days.

If done laparoscopically a shorter hospital stay can be expected.

Advantages to the vertical banded gastroplasty include:

• That normal digestive processes are able to continue because the stomach is not actually bypassed; instead the amount of food that can enter is limited.
• That technically it is not a difficult operation, limiting the risk of complications, and it can be reversed.

Disadvantages include:

• That it includes a larger incision than other laparoscopic forms of weight loss surgery.
• Since the only method of weight loss is due to the small pouch it can be ineffective if the recipient continues to eat a diet high in sugars.

Compliance with a proper diet by the recipient is necessary for successful weight loss.

Statistics show that of those who have vertical banded gastroplasty performed:

• About 30 percent achieve normal weight.
• 80 percent achieve some weight loss.

Those who are candidates for the surgery have:

• A BMI of 40 or more or
• Are about 100 pounds overweight.

Those with BMIs of 35 will be considered if they have a co-existing condition, such as diabetes.

As with other weight loss surgeries, it is important for those who are morbidly obese and considering the surgery to discuss it thoroughly with their physician so that they understand:

• The surgery
• Its risks and
• The expected outcomes.

For those who have exhausted all other methods of weight loss, surgery can be an important option that will enable them to lose the weight they need to in order to lead a healthy life.

Overcoming obesity is something you can do, and we’re here to provide you with the information you need to make the best decisions for your personal weight loss journey.

While you stop to consider this type of surgery, here are a few tips to get you started losing weight.

• Incorporate a proven, complete nutritional program into your daily life.
• Enhance your nutritional program with a complete mutivitamin supplement because no nutritional program is perfect.
• Use a behavior modification and motivational program that will help you stay on track with your nutritional plan.
• Exercise at home with your own:
  Treadmill

  Stairstepper

  Exercise bike

  Elliptical trainer

  Hand weights or

  An aerobic video.

• See what kinds of weight loss aids your health insurance covers such as:
  Hypnotism

  Gym membership discounts

  Nutritional counseling.

Vertical banded gastroplasty is a procedure that you should think long and hard about.

You can lose weight without surgery.

Try the tips within this website for one year. You have to go that long to counseling in order to have weight loss surgery anyway.

These tips will lead you down the right path.

As a registered nurse I know they work. I've seen it!

Go ahead. Start losing weight right now.