For many years, stomach stapling, also known as vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG), was considered a groundbreaking weight loss surgery. It offered hope to people struggling with severe obesity when other weight loss attempts had failed. However, as medicine advanced, doctors discovered that while stomach stapling could initially help with weight loss, it also came with significant risks and limitations.
- What Is Stomach Stapling?
- The Stomach Stapling Procedure
- Preparation and Surgery
- Recovery Process
- Benefits and Risks of Stomach Stapling
- Potential Benefits
- Major Risks and Limitations
- Modern Alternatives to Stomach Stapling
- 1. Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y)
- 2. Sleeve Gastrectomy
- 3. Adjustable Gastric Band (Lap-Band)
- Lifestyle Changes and Non-Surgical Options
- Understanding Bariatric Surgery Side Effects
- Common Side Effects
- Serious Complications (Rare but Possible)
- Recovery and Long-Term Success
- Long-Term Care Requirements
- Cost Considerations
- Making the Right Choice for Your Health
- Conclusion
Today, modern bariatric surgeries such as gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy have largely replaced stomach stapling because they provide better long-term results with fewer complications. If you’re considering surgical weight loss, understanding why stomach stapling has fallen out of favor—and what your current options are—can help you make the best decision for your health and long-term success.
This comprehensive guide covers what stomach stapling involves, why it is rarely performed today, and the modern alternatives now available. We’ll also explore the benefits, risks, recovery process, and lifestyle changes required for lasting weight loss success.
What Is Stomach Stapling?
Stomach stapling, or vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG), was a popular form of bariatric surgery during the 1980s and 1990s. It is a restrictive procedure, which means it works by physically limiting the amount of food a person can eat at one time.
During the surgery:
- Surgeons use staples to divide the stomach into two sections—a small upper pouch and a larger lower stomach.
- A band is placed around the opening of the upper pouch to slow food passage, ensuring that patients feel full quickly and stay full longer.
The intention was simple: smaller stomach capacity meant reduced food intake, which led to weight loss. However, as more patients underwent VBG, doctors noticed that many struggled with complications and long-term weight regain. Over time, safer and more effective procedures emerged, pushing stomach stapling into near-obsolescence.
The Stomach Stapling Procedure
To understand why this surgery has been replaced, it’s helpful to look closely at how the procedure is performed and what recovery involves.
Preparation and Surgery
Before undergoing stomach stapling, patients underwent thorough medical and psychological evaluations to confirm suitability. The surgery itself:
- Took about 1–2 hours under general anesthesia
- Was performed through several small incisions in the abdomen using surgical instruments
- Involved creating a small pouch with staples
- Included placing a band around the pouch for added restriction
Recovery Process
Following surgery, hospital stays typically lasted 1–3 days. The diet progression was strict and gradual:
- First few days: clear liquids only
- Weeks 1–4: pureed foods introduced slowly
- Weeks 4–6: transition to soft foods
- After 6 weeks: small portions of regular foods
Most patients returned to daily activities within 4–6 weeks, but long-term lifestyle adjustments were essential for continued success.
Benefits and Risks of Stomach Stapling
Like all weight loss surgeries, stomach stapling had both potential benefits and significant drawbacks.
Potential Benefits
- Restricts portion size, leading to initial weight loss
- Does not involve rerouting the digestive system (unlike gastric bypass)
- Was considered reversible in certain cases
Major Risks and Limitations
Unfortunately, long-term studies revealed serious problems:
- Poor long-term weight loss results compared to modern surgeries
- High rates of weight regain over time
- Staple line disruption or leakage, requiring corrective surgery
- Band erosion or slippage in VBG
- Severe heartburn and reflux
- Difficulty swallowing, nausea, and vomiting
- Nutritional deficiencies from limited intake
Because of these risks and disappointing long-term outcomes, stomach stapling is now rarely performed.
Modern Alternatives to Stomach Stapling
Advancements in bariatric surgery have led to procedures that are more effective, safer, and longer lasting than stomach stapling. These are the most common options today:
1. Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y)
One of the most widely performed and successful weight loss surgeries, gastric bypass involves:
- Creating a small stomach pouch
- Connecting it directly to the small intestine
- Bypassing most of the stomach and part of the intestine
Benefits:
- Significant and long-lasting weight loss
- Improvement or remission of obesity-related conditions like type 2 diabetes
- Decades of proven results
2. Sleeve Gastrectomy
In this procedure, surgeons remove about 80% of the stomach, leaving behind a thin, banana-shaped “sleeve.”
Benefits:
- Substantially reduces stomach capacity
- Removes the section of the stomach that produces ghrelin, the hunger hormone
- Provides excellent weight loss results
- No need for intestinal rerouting or foreign objects
This procedure has quickly become the most popular bariatric surgery worldwide because of its effectiveness and relatively straightforward approach.
3. Adjustable Gastric Band (Lap-Band)
This method uses an adjustable silicone band around the top of the stomach. It is less common today but may be suitable for select patients.
Benefits:
- Adjustable and reversible
- Lower surgical risk compared to bypass or sleeve
- Allows gradual, steady weight loss
However, gastric banding has lost popularity due to complications like band slippage, erosion, and less dramatic weight loss compared to other methods.
Lifestyle Changes and Non-Surgical Options
Not everyone needs—or qualifies for—surgery. Many people can benefit from non-surgical approaches, either as standalone treatments or in preparation for bariatric surgery. These include:
- Medically supervised weight loss programs with structured diets
- Nutritional counseling for long-term eating changes
- Exercise programs tailored to individual abilities
- Behavioral therapy to address emotional eating
- Weight loss medications when appropriate
While surgery often provides the most dramatic results for severe obesity, non-surgical methods are essential parts of long-term success.
Understanding Bariatric Surgery Side Effects
All weight loss surgeries carry risks. Knowing the potential side effects helps patients prepare realistically.
Common Side Effects
- Nutritional deficiencies requiring lifelong vitamin supplements
- Nausea and vomiting if food is eaten too quickly or in large portions
- Temporary hair loss during rapid weight loss
- Loose skin as the body shrinks
- Dumping syndrome (in gastric bypass), which causes diarrhea and dizziness after eating sugar
Serious Complications (Rare but Possible)
- Infection or bleeding
- Blood clots
- Digestive tract leaks
- Bowel obstruction
- Gallstones due to rapid weight loss
Thanks to modern surgical techniques and better patient screening, these risks have been reduced significantly.
Recovery and Long-Term Success
Recovery from bariatric surgery varies depending on the procedure but follows a general pattern:
- Hospital stay: 1–3 days
- Return to work: 2–4 weeks (depending on job type)
- Full recovery: 4–6 weeks
- Diet progression: liquid → pureed → soft → regular foods over 6–8 weeks
Long-Term Care Requirements
For success after surgery, patients must commit to:
- Regular follow-ups with their surgical team
- Daily vitamin and mineral supplements
- Healthy eating habits
- Consistent exercise routines
- Psychological support when needed
Bariatric surgery is not a quick fix—it is a tool that requires lifelong lifestyle changes.
Cost Considerations
The average cost of bariatric surgery ranges between $15,000 and $25,000 in the U.S., though prices vary by procedure and location. Many insurance providers cover surgery if patients meet certain criteria, such as:
- BMI over 40
- BMI over 35 with obesity-related health conditions (e.g., diabetes, hypertension)
- Documented history of failed non-surgical weight loss attempts
- Psychological clearance and commitment to lifestyle changes
Making the Right Choice for Your Health
Stomach stapling represents an early chapter in the history of bariatric surgery, but it has been replaced by safer and more effective procedures. Today’s options—like gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy—offer better long-term weight loss, fewer complications, and improved overall quality of life.
If you’re considering bariatric surgery, take time to research your options and discuss them with an experienced surgeon. Each procedure has unique pros and cons, and the right choice depends on your personal health history, goals, and lifestyle.
Conclusion
Stomach stapling paved the way for modern bariatric surgery, but it’s no longer recommended due to its risks and poor long-term results. Instead, procedures like gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy have become the gold standard, helping millions achieve lasting weight loss and better health.
Weight loss surgery is not about quick fixes—it’s about creating a sustainable, healthier future. With the right procedure, medical support, and long-term lifestyle changes, you can take control of your weight and dramatically improve your overall well-being.
