Question:
What is the difference in Proximal Gastric bYpass and gastroplasty?

PLEASE BEAR WITH ME...I AM BEING A ROYAL PAIN TODAY! I am having Proximal Gastric Bypass-VBG, It is described by the information from my surgeon as follows: The stomach will be completely seperated into two compartments using a row of staples and then create a new outlet to the "mini" stomach by joining it to a piece of the intestine. The stomach is completely seperated into two compartments by two rows of surgical staples. The upper compartment is measured at 50cc, then a new outlet, 1.0cms in diameter is created and joined to the upper small intestine. Food will then "bypass" the lower part of the stomach. Digestive juices from the stomach still flow around to mix with food through a new hook up lower down, thus permitting normal digestion of food in the intestine. There is therefore no diarrhea, no malabsorption and all food which is taken is digested normally. OK call me DUMB but is this the procedure that has failed so many people? Is this the same as what is called RNY? I cant make heads or tails out of this!!! Or are they talking about Gastroplasty which he describes as and operation which forms a small pouch in the upper stomach using two rows of staples. and is then drained to the remainder of the stomach via a small outlet. SORRY THIS WAS SO LONG...BUT I AM PANICKING!    — ginariso (posted on April 5, 2000)

April 5, 2000
What you posted describes a proximal RNY, not a VBG. The term "gastroplasty" basically means "redesigning the stomach" (like a rhinoplasty, or "nose job", is redesigning the nose). The RNY is more of a gastric bypass than a gastroplasty, since they are bypassing part of the stomach rather than changing the way food moves through it, as in a VBG.
   — Kim H.

April 5, 2000
Hi Gina, You are not being dumb, seems to me your doctor is misinforming you. I have a proximal RNY and the whole idea behind my surgery IS the malabsorption and if I do eat the wrong thing I do have diarrhea. What your surgeon is telling you doesn't sound like HE knows what he's talking about. If I were you I would have another office visit w/ him to make sure he clarifies EVERYTHING for you. I am confused by what he is telling you. What you are describing is an RNY and nowhere do I see where the VBG comes into play. In my research, I found that the VBG was where a silastic ring was placed over the pouch to keep food from leaving the stomach too fast thereby giving the patient a feeling of fullness longer. I don't have that. I have what you described, my stomach being seperated by rows of staples, then the intestines being hooked to the the new pouch and the lower part of the new hook up. That is an RNY. Sorry if this sounds so repetitive, I am just concerned w/ the misinformation, so it seems, that your surgeon is giving you. If he can't give you a straight answer, I would consider finding another surgeon who will do what you like. And yes, in my research, the patients who had VBG were more likely to fail and gain their weight back. (Please, I'm not bashing the VBG, I am just stating something I found upon researching WLS!!!!!!!!!! I support any and all forms of WLS...) Just be careful and make sure your surgeon answers the questions you have thoroughly before surgery. Good Luck,
   — Marni

April 5, 2000
What you are describing sounds just like the RnY to me. However, if the surgeon calls it a proximal gastric bypass-vbg, maybe he is doing a variation of the RnY which constructs the stomach pouch a little differently, more like the stomach in the VBG, and using the silastic ring and the pouch outlet. I'm not sure, but I think this is the way Dr. Fobi does it. Keep asking questions until you get the answers you need.
   — Lynn K.

April 5, 2000
This sounds more like a VBG. There is no mention of the Roux-en-Y limb or loop. RNY is both restrictive and malabsorptive. Whatever it is, it is very unclear and misleading. To get the correct answer, ask your surgeon to clarify. Best wishes.
   — [Deactivated Member]

April 5, 2000
I would like to caution people who say such things as "I don't think your doctor knows what he's talking about." The patient may not have understood him. That's all you can say. Most people on this site are not physicians, and should not make such harsh and misleading judgements. We're all here to be helpful. "Dissing" someone's surgeon is not helpful. The best advice is to suggest that the patient have another consultation with the surgeon and have him explain things so the patient does understand, or ask for drawings or pictures.
   — Heddy-Dale M.

April 5, 2000
Dr. Matthias, that statement was long overdue. THANK YOU!
   — [Deactivated Member]

April 5, 2000
HELLO EVERYONE, I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO RESPONDED TO MY QUESTION AND ADD THAT THE PART I WAS CONFUSED ABOUT WAS THAT THE DESCRIPTION SEEMED TO BE THE SAME AS A RYN BUT THE ILLUSTRATION INCLUDES A RESTRICTIVE BAND. I WILL BE SPEAKING WITH DR. S TOMMOROW MORNING. I WOULD HAVE ASKED HIM IMMEDIATELY TODAY BUT HE WASNT IN HIS OFFICE.
   — ginariso

April 5, 2000
Actually, you are having a combination of the two surgerys. You are having the VBG and the RNY at the same time. You should probably be very sucessful with your weight loss.
   — blank first name B.