Question:
Is the GPS anything like having your stomach stapled? Is it the same thing?

I hear of people having their stomach stapled. Now is this the same thing as Gastric Bypass? Or is this like having a tummy tuck or what? I don't mean to be ignorant, but I've wondered this for awhile so if anyone knows???? Thanks!    — Summersect (posted on January 23, 2002)

January 23, 2002
here is a link i found where u can research ALL the weight loss surgeries being performed. http://www.mywls.com/Surgery_Types/surgery_types.html
   — sheryl titone

January 23, 2002
Well for the person who answered before me, who had to post anonymously, I DO know quite a bit about the surgery I am having. I have been doing research since last July. But I dont THINK i know everything there is to know about the subject. Apparently YOU DO? I guess if this is how i'll be treated when I post a question about something maybe someone else may have an answer to, then i wont post again. THANKS for your rudeness!
   — Summersect

January 23, 2002
Hi Rebecca, First off I want to say that there is no question too basic to ask. I bet there are many many people out there who wonder the same thing. Please don't feel that you can't post a question because the way I see it, YOU are trying to obtain more knowledge. Anyway, I'm six months post-op from Lap RNY and from what I remember from researching the different procedures, the stomach stapling was kind of a precursor to the modern surgical procedures. I don't think it is widely used today as the success rate (I believe) is much lower than other procedures like the RNY or duodenal switch. My understanding is that with the stomach stapling, all that is done is the stomach is stapled and the small intestine is brought up and attached to the stapled part of the stomach. There is no malabsorption because none of the intestine is bypassed and the stomach is not transected and therefore, a staple line distruption is more likely than with a transected RNY, for example. This lack of malabsorption probably proves to be a positive thing on one hand since there is little malabsorption of vitamins and nutrients. However, on the other hand, that also means that all of the calories and fat are fully absorbed as well and long-term success is harder to maintain. Again, I would like to stress that this is what I remeber from my own research several months ago. Thank you for asking this question as I'm sure the various answers have served others as well. Isn't that the whole purpose of the Q&A database? I hope we can be a supportive environment.
   — Angelia M.

January 23, 2002
Rebecca - excellent question. I had a VBG - stomach stapling done back in 1991. It had great results but it is easy to overeat if a person is soo inclined to compulsive overeating as I did. It is not a bypass, but instead it is a pouch made out of the existing stomach. Food goes into the pouch then drips into the regular stomach. There is less issues with absorbtion. I have no idea what a GPS is... I had a revision done last Nov 2001 to the RNY... I DO NOT feel you need to know everything about all the different surgeries like a previously rude anonymous poster posted. I still have NO idea what a duodenal switch is nor do I care....I know it is a surgery to lose weight... I knew what I was having and researched it well. I would just about ignore any postings I receive from anyone who posts anonymously... Seems THEY have something to hide!!!! My best to you....
   — Pamela W.

January 23, 2002
Please keep posting to this site and keep asking questions. The post from anonymous was uncalled for. I had the BPD/DS three years ago and although I know alot about "that" surgery, I don't know half as much about others and I certainly know NOTHING about about the surgery you asked about. I doubt that I am ignorant because of this. You were only asking a question. Please keep asking.
   — Barbara H.

January 24, 2002
Here is another site with information: <p>http://www.asbs.org/html/story/ch_1.html<p>Somebody posted it as the answer to another question but I thought it did a really good job showing the differences between the surgical techniques and what their various complications could be. Hope it helps!
   — ctyst