Vertical Gastrectomy
Expected Weight loss 70-80% of excess weight
Description of the Vertical Gastrectomy
This is a newer procedure that induces weight loss by restricting food intake. After his specialty fellowship training in advanced laparoscopic bariatric surgery in New York, where he learned the technique from its originator, Dr. Michel Gagner, Dr. Feng brought the technique to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2002. The Vertical Gastrectomy is also known as the Sleeve Gastrectomy, Restrictive Vertical Gastroplasty, or Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. The Vertical Gastretomy is essentially a newer, better version of the vertical banded gastroplasty, a procedure that has been abandoned by virtually all weight loss surgeons, due to high failure rates and complications. Dr. Feng surgically reduces the stomach in size to a long narrow, tube like, vertical pouch, between 1-4 ounces in size. There is no intestinal bypass performed. |
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The Vertical Gastrectomy allows any BMI patient to undergo weight loss surgery laparoscopically. Most patients with a BMI under 60 kg/m2 achieve successful, effective weight loss in a manner similar to the gastric bypass or duodenal switch. Some patients with much higher BMI may need a second stage to the procedure, again performed laparoscopically at a later date. If necessary, the second procedure can either be a duodenal switch or gastric bypass. Most patients can lose 75 to 80% of their excess body weight over 6-12 months with sleeve gastrectomy alone. |
Advantages of Vertical Gastrectomy Procedure
- Usually done laparoscopically (minimally invasive) in patients. Allows patients of any weight, including the super super obese and high risk patients, to undergo surgery with small incisions.
- Rapid weight loss.
- Patients do not experience diarrhea or significant “Dumping Syndrome” symptoms.
- The portion of the stomach producing hunger-stimulating hormones is removed.
- The stomach maintains normal function with no rearrangement of the intestines, reducing risks of protein and vitamin deficiency.
- Minimal patient effort to lose and maintain weight loss.
Disadvantages of Vertical Gastrectomy Procedure
- Successful results depend on willingness to adopt long-term lifestyle changes.
- Weight loss may be slower than combined restrictive/malabsorption procedures.
- Not reversible since the stomach is removed. However, it can be converted or revised to the gastric bypass or duodenal switch, as necessary for higher BMI patients.
- May be considered investigational by some surgeons and insurance companies.
Risks of Vertical Gastrectomy Procedure
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