Vertical Banded Gastroplasty

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.

• Care notes
• Ambulatory
• Discharge
• Inpatient
• Precare
• Español

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

VBG, or stomach stapling, is surgery to make your stomach smaller. This surgery is done to help with weight loss.

HOW TO PREPARE:

The week before your surgery:

• Arrange to have someone drive you home after surgery and stay with you.
• Tell your surgeon about all medicines you currently take. He or she will tell you if you need to stop any medicine before surgery, and when to stop. He or she will tell you which medicines to take or not take on the day of surgery.
• You may need blood or urine tests before your surgery. You may also need x-rays or an EKG. Talk to your healthcare provider about these or other tests you may need. Write down the date, time, and location for each test.

The night before your surgery:

You may be told not to eat or drink anything after midnight.

The day of your surgery:

• You or a close family member will be asked to sign a legal document called a consent form. It gives healthcare providers permission to do the procedure or surgery. It also explains the problems that may happen, and your choices. Make sure all your questions are answered before you sign this form.
• Healthcare providers may insert an intravenous tube (IV) into your vein. A vein in the arm is usually chosen. You may be given liquids or medicine through the IV.
• An anesthesiologist will talk to you before your surgery. You may need medicine to keep you asleep or numb an area of your body during surgery. Tell healthcare providers if you or anyone in your family has had a problem with anesthesia in the past.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN:

What will happen:

You will be given general anesthesia to keep you asleep and free from pain during surgery. Your surgeon will make small incisions in your abdomen. A scope and other medical tools will be put through the incisions. Your surgeon will use a soft band and staples to make a small stomach pouch. The band is located at the lower part of the pouch and creates a small opening. The opening will allow food to pass into the rest of the stomach. Your surgeon will close your incisions with stitches or staples.

After surgery:

You will be taken to a room to rest until you are fully awake. You will be monitored closely for any problems. Do not get out of bed until your healthcare provider says it is okay. You will then be able to go home or be taken to your hospital room.

CONTACT YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IF:

• You have a fever.
• You get a cold or the flu.
• You have questions or concerns about your surgery.

Risks

You may bleed more than expected or get an infection. Your esophagus or other organs may be damaged during surgery. You may develop a life-threatening blood clot. The gastric band may break, cause a scar, or erode the stomach tissue. The internal staples could break down. Stomach liquid may leak into your abdomen. You may develop gallstones. You may lose weight and then gain it back.

Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions

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