Restrictive: Reduces stomach size and hunger hormone (ghrelin) release
Malabsorptive: Reduces stomach size and limits food absorption
Stomach Alterations
Stomach size reduced
Stomach size reduced
Impact
70–85% of stomach removed
90% of stomach removed
Changes to Intestine
No change
Yes
Operating time
1–3 hours
1.5 hours
Average Hospital Stay
2 nights
3 nights
Time off Work
2 weeks
3–5 weeks
Recovery Time
3 weeks
3 weeks
Pros
No intestinal changes: Fewer complications and side effects, such as dumping syndrome
Hunger depressed because of reduction in ghrelin production
Lifetime approach to obesity
Simple procedure
Lower complication rate compared to a traditional RNY surgery, such as dumping syndrome.
Less re-routing of the intestines.
Can be reversible and revised easily.
Cons
Newer surgery with long-term results somewhat unknown
Stomach could enlarge
Requires more nutritional supplements and vitamins (not as much as gastric bypass)
Hair loss is also somewhat common during the first 3 to 6 months after surgery.
May experience gallstones from the rapid weight loss.
Surgery Description
Long, narrow vertical pouch (about 2–3 oz or 60–100 cc). Same shape as the duodenal switch pouch but smaller
No intestinal bypass
The VG significantly restricts the volume of food that can be eaten
No malabsorption of nutrients or dumping
Laparoscope and other instruments are placed through small incisions in the abdomen to reach the stomach
No dumping syndrome
Bypasses the part of the intestines which allos for less nutrients, calories and fats
Realistic Expectations
Patients can expect to lose 60–70% of excess weight in about 2 years. Long term results not currently available. Easily converted to Duodenal Switch or Gastric Bypass if needed.
Weight loss with this procedure is often fast and dramatic. Most people are also able to keep the weight off long term. Within a year, 60 to 75 percent of excess body weight is often gone.
Post Surgery Dietary Info
Patient must:
Eat 3 meals a day containing 600–800 calories per day (recommended for the first 24 months) and about 1,000-1,200 thereafter (no dumping or diarrhea)
Patient must:
Follow the diet plan which consist of 4 different levels: liquids, pureed food, soft food and finally solid food.
Realistic Expectations
Patients can expect to lose 60–70% of excess weight in about 2 years. Long term results not currently available. Easily converted to Duodenal Switch or Gastric Bypass if needed.
Weight loss with this procedure is often fast and dramatic. Most people are also able to keep the weight off long term. Within a year, 60 to 75 percent of excess body weight is often gone.
Candidate Efficacy
VSG is effective for high-risk or very high BMI patients (BMI > 60 kg/m2) as a “first-stage” procedure. The complication rate is much lower than it is with the RNY Gastric Bypass or Duodenal Switch because there’s no intestinal bypass.
Good candidates have a BMI over 40 or those with a BMI between 35 and 40 plus other weight-related health conditions.
Safe Weight-Loss Surgery in Mexico
MedicalMex is the #1 option for weight loss surgery in Mexico
Protecting international patients from all around the world, we are the safest, most affordable and most experienced bariatric weight-loss surgery option in Mexico