Vertical-banded gastroplasty advantages

• No dumping syndrome
• No nutritional deficiencies/malabsorption

Vertical-banded gastroplasty disadvantages

• Needs strict patient compliance to diet
• High fiber foods and foods with a more dense, natural consistency can become very difficult to eat, while highly refined foods cause little discomfort. Most people who regain any weight lost after surgery do so because choosing "healthier" foods are harder to digest, while "junk" food pass easily.
• VBG is in no way a magic bullet or pill. It must be emphasized that lifestyle changes, i.e. diet Vertical-banded Gastroplasty and exercise, are absolutely imperative for weight loss to occur and be maintained. Realistic expectations are imperative.
• Reversal of a VBG requires a much more complex and intensive surgical process than getting the VBG. When removal of a polyurethane band is involved (polyurethane was predominantly used in the 1980s and 90s), it likely has built substantial scar tissue that must also be removed, depending on how long ago the VBG took place. Removal of the staples involves stitching the previously separated parts of the stomach back together. For these reasons, a reversal should only be considered if there are serious medical complications.
• Vomiting and severe discomfort if food is not properly chewed or if food is eaten too quickly.
• As with any surgical procedure, there are risks of complications. It has been observed that approximately one in every hundred patients undergoing VBG die within a year. There may also be other medical complications down the road, but the risk is relatively low
• Not adjustable

Long term

Although restrictive operations lead to weight loss in almost all patients, they are less successful than malabsorptive operations in achieving substantial, long-term weight loss. About 30 percent of those who undergo VBG achieve normal weight, and about 80 percent achieve some degree of weight loss. Most studies have suggested that 10 years after surgery, only 10% of patients maintain a minimum weight loss of at least 50% of their total excess weight at the time of their initial surgery.

Some patients regain weight. Others are unable to adjust their eating habits and fail to lose the desired weight. Successful results depend on the patient’s willingness to adopt a long-term plan of healthy eating and regular physical activity.

Does vertical-banded gastroplasty result in any vitamin or mineral deficiencies?

In the stomach food comes in contact with gastric acid. Iron found in foods such as spinach, raisins, and red meat requires contact with gastric acid to covert it from the ferrous form, which is not readily absorbed adequately, anemia can result. The stomach also contains something called intrinsic factor, which aids in the absorption of vitamin B12.

Vitamin B12 deficiency can result in a condition called pernicious anemia. Vertical-banded gastroplasty can result in a deficiency of both iron and vitamin B12. Although this is generally not a major problem, supplements of both iron and vitamin B12 are usually necessary. Because of the potential for vitamin and mineral deficiencies following gastric bypass surgery, it is crucial for you to maintain regular follow-up with the nurses, doctors, and dietitians at your gastric bypass
center.

Do people keep their weight off following vertical-banded gastroplasty?

While initial weight loss is quite good with verticalbanded gastroplasty, long-term maintenance is poor. Unlike most other forms of gastric bypass surgery, following vertical-banded gastroplastymost people are not troubled by eating sweets, and as a result they may consume excessive amounts of sweets. This behavior has been linked to poor long-term weight loss. At ten years this procedure has an 80 percent failure rate (meaning much of the initial weight lost is regained). In addition 15 to 20 percent of people who have this procedure require a re-operation due to blockage of the
polypropylene band or reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus. Because of these difficulties, it is unlikely that your doctor will suggest verticalbanded gastroplasty.