Description of the operation
Vertical Banded Gastroplasty (VBG) forms part of the so-called "restrictive" interventions and consists in the reduction of the volume of the gastric sack and in the wrapping of a narrow passage between the first and the remaining part of the stomach, in such a way as to create a partial obstacle to its emptying.
Therefore the food quantity that can be introduced is drastically reduced, provoking a sense of premature satisfaction in terms of food intake.
For whom it is required
It is indicated for patients who have a BMI between 40 e 50, or a BMI between 35 and 40 in the presence of serious associated pathologies (hypertension, diabetes, respiratory problems, problems with joints) in the absence of food behaviour disturbances.
The results
It is fundamental that the patient collaborates in order to obtain good results, following the rules that are supplied by the specialists.
A correct food intake will be necessary also to maintain the results obtained over a period of time.
Vertical gastroplasty has good results with weight loss, and the loss is effected mainly in the first year; the percentage of excess weight loss is in the order of 50-75%.
For some patients a partial regaining of weight is witnessed around the third year, especially if the patient has a food diet that is not balanced.
The checks
The checks to be carried out after the Vertical Banded Gastroplasty operation are at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the operation; subsequently they become annual and are performed by the surgeon, medical dietician, and the company technician; the psychologist intervenes when necessary.
Some blood sample tests are programmed at different stages to check for possible nutritional shortages in case of insufficient or unbalanced diet.
