Question:
What is a VBG compared

to an RNY?    — Kelly* P. (posted on March 2, 2003)

March 2, 2003
Here is a site that has diagrams of both along with some explanatory text: http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/surgery/bariatric/procedure.html <p> The VBG (vertical banded gastroplasty is a procedure that is performed to restrict food intake. It is purely a restrictive procedure (like the Adjustible Lap Band). The VBG reduces a normal sized stomach into a small pouch by partitioning the stomach with staples. At the lower end of the staple line, a permanent band is placed at the bottom of the pouch and acts as a sphincter into the remainder of the stomach. It does not induce malabsorption. The band causes food to be retained in the smaller stomach for a longer period of time. The patient feels full for a longer period of time, and tends to eat less. Patients must chew their food well and avoid high calorie liquids. <p> The RNY, more correctly known as the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) also partitions the stomach. However, in this procedure the pouch that is created is disconnected from the rest of the stomach. The small intestine is then cut and connected to the pouch. A hole is made in the pouch, and the lower segment of the small intestine is surgically connected to the pouch. Connection of the pouch to the lower segment of the small intestine reduces the amount of substances absorbed from the food, and therefore induces malabsorption. However, because nutrient absorption also takes place in the upper segment of the small intestine that is removed, patients must take vitamin supplements to maintain adequate nutrition levels. Patients must chew food well and avoid concentrated sugars. This procedure induces a degree of malabsorption and achieves restriction of the stomach capacity.
   — John Rushton

March 2, 2003
I encourage you to investigate a LAP BAND adjustable band if you want the VBG. My surgeon says the VBGs failure rate is 80% in 5 years. The tight band makes it hard to eat good food while junk food like chips goes down great. SOME VBGers do fine but our support group is filled with vbg revisions to the rny. The RNY has better results and we get posters here regurally wanting a vbg to rny revision.
   — bob-haller