AKA |
Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy |
MGB |
Price in Mexico |
$3,800 |
$5,500 |
Average Price in US |
$19,000 |
$16,000 |
Savings Compared to US |
$15,000 |
$10,500 |
Diagram |
|
|
Method of Weight Loss |
Restrictive: Reduces stomach size and hunger hormone (ghrelin) release |
Malabsorptive: Reduces stomach size and limits food absorption |
Stomach Alterations |
Stomach size reduced |
Stomach size reduced |
Impact |
70–85% of stomach removed |
90% of stomach removed |
Changes to Intestine |
No change |
Yes |
Operating time |
1–3 hours |
1.5 hours |
Average Hospital Stay |
2 nights |
3 nights |
Time off Work |
2 weeks |
3–5 weeks |
Recovery Time |
3 weeks |
3 weeks |
Pros |
- No intestinal changes: Fewer complications and side effects, such as dumping syndrome
- Hunger depressed because of reduction in ghrelin production
- Lifetime approach to obesity
- Simple procedure
|
- Lower complication rate compared to a traditional RNY surgery, such as dumping syndrome.
- Less re-routing of the intestines.
- Can be reversible and revised easily.
|
Cons |
- Newer surgery with long-term results somewhat unknown
- Stomach could enlarge
- Requires more nutritional supplements and vitamins (not as much as gastric bypass)
|
- Hair loss is also somewhat common during the first 3 to 6 months after surgery.
- May experience gallstones from the rapid weight loss.
|
Surgery Description |
- Long, narrow vertical pouch (about 2–3 oz or 60–100 cc). Same shape as the duodenal switch pouch but smaller
- No intestinal bypass
- The VG significantly restricts the volume of food that can be eaten
- No malabsorption of nutrients or dumping
|
- Laparoscope and other instruments are placed through small incisions in the abdomen to reach the stomach
- No dumping syndrome
- Bypasses the part of the intestines which allos for less nutrients, calories and fats
|
Realistic Expectations |
Patients can expect to lose 60–70% of excess weight in about 2 years. Long term results not currently available. Easily converted to Duodenal Switch or Gastric Bypass if needed. |
Weight loss with this procedure is often fast and dramatic. Most people are also able to keep the weight off long term. Within a year, 60 to 75 percent of excess body weight is often gone. |
Post Surgery Dietary Info |
Patient must:
- Eat 3 meals a day containing 600–800 calories per day (recommended for the first 24 months) and about 1,000-1,200 thereafter (no dumping or diarrhea)
|
Patient must:
- Follow the diet plan which consist of 4 different levels: liquids, pureed food, soft food and finally solid food.
|
Realistic Expectations |
Patients can expect to lose 60–70% of excess weight in about 2 years. Long term results not currently available. Easily converted to Duodenal Switch or Gastric Bypass if needed. |
Weight loss with this procedure is often fast and dramatic. Most people are also able to keep the weight off long term. Within a year, 60 to 75 percent of excess body weight is often gone. |
Candidate Efficacy |
VSG is effective for high-risk or very high BMI patients (BMI > 60 kg/m2) as a “first-stage” procedure. The complication rate is much lower than it is with the RNY Gastric Bypass or Duodenal Switch because there’s no intestinal bypass. |
Good candidates have a BMI over 40 or those with a BMI between 35 and 40 plus other weight-related health conditions. |