For reducing stomach size, gastric banding or a vertical banded gastroplasty is used. Known as VBG, is most frequently used to reduce stomach size by using a band and staples to create a small stomach pouch. About 30 percent of people undergoing VBG achieve normal weight while 80 percent achieve some weight loss. In contrast the gastric bypass operation restricts food intake by creating a small stomach pouch and secondly, attaching this pouch to allow food to bypass some of the small intestines and reduce calorie and nutrient absorption. For all weight loss operations, successful results depend on life style change, including motivation, changing your eating habits and increasing your physical activity.
Obesity surgery can be an excellent tool to achieve long-term significant weight loss.
These operations can be performed laparoscopically, that is in a minimally evasive manner involving several Band-Aid size incisions. Or an open procedure meaning a single larger incision. The operation is the same. The surgical procedure is what is different. About 10 to 20 percent of patients require follow up operations to correct complications.