The Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) is a recently developed procedure for the treatment of severe obesity.  This is a purely restrictive procedure which reduces the size of the stomach allowing for a sense of fullness with a smaller amount of food.

This operation was initially developed for the treatment of Super Morbid Obesity (BMI >60) to serve as a “stepping stone” toward a more definitive weight loss procedure.  However, the positive results from the VSG have led some patients to choose this as a stand alone procedure.  With the VSG, the more elastic part of the stomach is removed, leaving a tubular “sleeve” in place.  This reduces the overall size of the stomach so that distention occurs with a smaller volume of food. 

Advantages 

-With the VSG, GI physiology is more normal than with a Roux-en-Y-Divided Gastric Bypass, so there is no malabsorption of food and nutrients. Furthermore, the intestine is not re-routed and brought together in a new way, so there is potentially less likelihood of leakage. 

-Patients who have not obtained satisfactory, sustained weight loss from this procedure alone, can opt to convert to a Roux-en-Y Divided Gastric Bypass at a later time. 

Disadvantages