The upper portion of the stomach, is stapled and separated from the remainder of the stomach. This stomach “pouch” holds about one to one-and-a-half ounces, limiting food intake by causing a feeling fullness with a small amount of food. Patients also absorb less food, facilitating further weight loss.
Advantages:
- Generally results in the highest amount of excess weight loss, 60 to 80 percent*
- Significantly improves diabetes and reflux disease
- Works by restricting the amount of food and liquid intake, and limiting the absorption of nutrients in the gastrointestinal tract
- Produces favorable changes in gut hormones that reduce appetite and enhances feelings of fullness
- Typically maintain weight loss over the long term
Disadvantages:
- Difficult to reverse.
- Possibility of dumping syndrome, ulcer, nutrient deficiencies, hernia, bowel obstruction and other complications.
- Patients must take nutritional supplements for the remainder of their lives.
