WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: What do I need to know about vertical banded gastroplasty? Vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG), or stomach stapling, is surgery to make the stomach smaller. How do I prepare for surgery? Your healthcare provider will talk to you about how to prepare for surgery. He may tell you not to eat or drink anything after midnight on the day of your surgery. He will tell you what medicines to take or not take on the day of your surgery. What will happen during surgery? Your surgeon will make small incisions in your abdomen. A scope and other medical tools will be put through the incisions. Your surgeon will use a soft band and staples to make a small stomach pouch. The band is located at the lower part of the pouch and creates a small opening. The opening will allow food to pass into the rest of the stomach. Your surgeon will close your incisions with stitches or staples. What are the risks of surgery? - You may bleed more than expected or get an infection. Your esophagus or other organs may be damaged during surgery. The gastric band may break, cause a scar, or erode the stomach tissue. The internal staple line could break down. Stomach liquid may leak into your abdomen. You may develop gallstones. You may lose weight and then gain it back.
- You may stretch out your stomach pouch if you eat too much, too fast, or do not chew well. This may cause nausea and vomiting. You may have a stomach ache, heartburn, or develop an ulcer. Food that is not chewed well may get stuck in the opening between the small and large stomach pouches. You may not get enough protein and vitamins from your diet. You may get a blood clot in your limb. This may become life-threatening.
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