Vertical Banded Gastroplasty
Generally known as “stomach stapling” operation, the “VBG” is mostly relegated to “of historical interest only” status. Percent excess weight loss was 20% at 20 years after the operation. The two main causes of failure are: one, tendency for patients to eat sweets and two, breakdown of the staple line which reforms the stomach as “whole” again. This operation is done in parts of the country, but by very few bariatric surgeons.

Duodenal Switch
This is a much more aggressive malabsorption operation than the RnYGB. This operation is accompanied by increased complication rates in the immediate postoperative time, increased vitamin and mineral deficiencies (and difficult to repair deficiencies). A few centers in the country report excellent results with this operation. This may actually be an excellent operation for those with very high triglycerides (in the thousands).

Open Gastric Bypass
We believe that the laparoscopic gastric bypass is the “gold standard” and is safer than the open approach. Although still done as a primary operation in the U.S. with good results. The laparoscopic approach has a faster recovery, lower wound infection rate and lower hernia rate.

*Mini Gastric Bypass or the modification known as the Fobi Pouch 
Weight Wise believes there is no advantage to these procedures, and in some cases patients can have persistent eating difficulty after surgery or require re-operation for complications.