Vertical banded gastroplasty, or gastroplasty for short, is a medicinal procedure that assists in weight loss. Similar to gastric bypass surgery, gastroplasty reroutes the digestive system, but unlike gastric bypass surgery, this procedure also minimizes the size of the stomach, consequently restricting the amount of food that can be eaten.
Features
Gastroplasty is a restrictive surgical procedure whereby the stomach is stapled to reduce the amount of food that can be consumed. The procedure employs both a band and staples to create a small stomach pouch. In the bottom of the pouch is a small hole that flows into the stomach and, from there, the gastrointestinal tract. This system slows passage of food and ensures that only a small amount of food can be in the stomach at one time.
Surgical Procedure
In gastroplasty, the upper-stomach---the area near the esophagus---is stapled vertically, creating a small pouch along the curve in the bottom of the stomach. The opening in the pouch is restricted by a band and extends to the remainder of the stomach. The band aids in delaying the food from emptying from the pouch, causing a feeling of fullness soon after eating.
Side Effects
Potential side effects from gastroplasty include malabsorption (when the body is unable to extract vitamins), chronic abdominal pain and vitamin deficiencies, all of which may be avoided by eliminating sugar- and fat-rich foods from the diet. An additional side effect reported by patients is "dumping syndrome," wherein the patients suffer from a combination of nausea, sweating, chest and abdominal cramps, and diarrhea.
Post-Surgery Home Care
Patients who have undergone gastroplasty surgery must comply with a strict diet. Often, high-fiber foods, including certain cereals and vegetables, become difficult to eat, while highly refined foods also cause discomfort. Although the procedure is beneficial to patients who are overweight, it must be supported by lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet and exercise, to sustain weight loss. Physicians also urge patients to maintain realistic expectations of change.
Warnings
Vertical band gastroplasty is irreversible. The procedure generally requires a 5- or 6-inch incision in the stomach, as well as a hospital stay of three days or longer. Many physicians consider gastroplasty to be a very severe and life-threatening procedure. The American Medical Association has classified the procedure as "severely dangerous." This type of weight-loss surgery is losing favor recently as more doctors have begun using an adjustable gastric band. This new procedure does not require an incision in the stomach, and it does not use any staple lines.
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