About Stomach Stapling Surgery
This information is intended for general information only and should not be considered as medical advice on the part of Health-Tourism.com. Any decision on medical treatments, after-care or recovery should be done solely upon proper consultation and advice of a qualified physician.
What is Stomach Stapling Surgery?
Stomach stapling surgery (also called vertical banded gastroplasty), is a procedure carried out to achieve weight loss. Stomach stapling surgery is a restrictive surgery, meaning it restricts the amount of food which the stomach can hold.
In stomach stapling surgery a small pouch is created in the stomach so that the patient can only eat a small amount of food.
What are the types of Stomach Stapling Surgery?
The types of Stomach Stapling procedures are as follows:
- Open vertical banded gastroplasty:
- The surgeon makes a large incision in the abdomen and makes a hole in the stomach.
- The surgeon adds a line of staples to create a small pouch in the stomach.
- The stomach is much smaller and will only hold a small amount of food.
- The surgeon inserts a plastic band around the stomach’s outlet which allows food to be held in the stomach for longer.
- Laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasty:
The surgeon makes a number of small incisions in the abdomen and uses a laparoscope to guide small instruments to fit the staples and the band.
Who is a suitable candidate for Stomach Stapling Surgery? Stomach stapling surgery is generally carried out when the patient has a BMI of 40 or more, or when the BMI is 35 and the patient also has an obesity-related medical condition.
What are the chances of success with Stomach Stapling Surgery?
Patients lose around half of their excess weight in the first year after stomach stapling surgery, according to statistics listed on the WebMD website. The most rapid weight loss is in the first six months. Some weight may be regained after stomach stapling surgery, especially if guidelines on food and exercise are not followed.
According to Brolin in “Bariatric surgery and long-term control of morbid obesity,” 2002, only 1 out of 5 people keeps the weight off for 10 years.
What surgeon performs Stomach Stapling Surgery?
Stomach stapling surgery is performed by a weight loss surgeon.
A laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasty requires a surgeon with more training and practice than an open vertical banded gastroplasty.
How popular is this type of surgery?
Stomach stapling surgery is one of the first weight loss surgical procedures but it is now not as popular as gastric band surgery.
Duration of procedure/surgery : An open vertical banded gastroplasty takes 1 to 2 hours to complete.
A laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasty takes longer – between 2 and 4 hours.
Days admitted : The patient normally stays in hospital for 3 to five 5 following the stomach stapling procedure.
Anesthesia : General anesthesia
Recovery : Patients return to normal everyday activities after 3 to 5 weeks.
Risks : - Leakage from the stomach into the abdominal cavity.
- Blood clots.
- Infection.
- Gallstones.
- Nutritional difficulties.
- Need for another operation to reconnect the stomach and intestines, enlarge the pouch or reconnect the band.
- Nausea and vomiting.
After care : - After stomach stapling surgery you will only be able to eat small amounts of food at a time – one cup or less. You must chew your food thoroughly and not overeat.
- A healthy diet and exercise results in greater weight loss following stomach stapling surgery.
- For the first two weeks you will eat liquid and pureed foods and gradually move onto solid foods.
- Take painkillers to ease any discomfort following stomach stapling surgery.
Learn more about Stomach Stapling Surgery