AKA | Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy | MGB |
Price in Mexico | $3,800 | $5,500 |
Average Price in US | $19,000 | $16,000 |
Savings Compared to US | $15,000 | $10,500 |
Diagram |  |  |
Method of Weight Loss | Restrictive: Reduces stomach size and hunger hormone (ghrelin) release | Malabsorptive: Reduces stomach size and limits food absorption |
Stomach Alterations | Stomach size reduced | Stomach size reduced |
Impact | 70–85% of stomach removed | 90% of stomach removed |
Changes to Intestine | No change | Yes |
Operating time | 1–3 hours | 1.5 hours |
Average Hospital Stay | 2 nights | 3 nights |
Time off Work | 2 weeks | 3–5 weeks |
Recovery Time | 3 weeks | 3 weeks |
Pros | - No intestinal changes: Fewer complications and side effects, such as dumping syndrome
- Hunger depressed because of reduction in ghrelin production
- Lifetime approach to obesity
- Simple procedure
| - Lower complication rate compared to a traditional RNY surgery, such as dumping syndrome.
- Less re-routing of the intestines.
- Can be reversible and revised easily.
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Cons | - Newer surgery with long-term results somewhat unknown
- Stomach could enlarge
- Requires more nutritional supplements and vitamins (not as much as gastric bypass)
| - Hair loss is also somewhat common during the first 3 to 6 months after surgery.
- May experience gallstones from the rapid weight loss.
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Surgery Description | - Long, narrow vertical pouch (about 2–3 oz or 60–100 cc). Same shape as the duodenal switch pouch but smaller
- No intestinal bypass
- The VG significantly restricts the volume of food that can be eaten
- No malabsorption of nutrients or dumping
| - Laparoscope and other instruments are placed through small incisions in the abdomen to reach the stomach
- No dumping syndrome
- Bypasses the part of the intestines which allos for less nutrients, calories and fats
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Realistic Expectations | Patients can expect to lose 60–70% of excess weight in about 2 years. Long term results not currently available. Easily converted to Duodenal Switch or Gastric Bypass if needed. | Weight loss with this procedure is often fast and dramatic. Most people are also able to keep the weight off long term. Within a year, 60 to 75 percent of excess body weight is often gone. |
Post Surgery Dietary Info | Patient must:- Eat 3 meals a day containing 600–800 calories per day (recommended for the first 24 months) and about 1,000-1,200 thereafter (no dumping or diarrhea)
| Patient must:- Follow the diet plan which consist of 4 different levels: liquids, pureed food, soft food and finally solid food.
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Realistic Expectations | Patients can expect to lose 60–70% of excess weight in about 2 years. Long term results not currently available. Easily converted to Duodenal Switch or Gastric Bypass if needed. | Weight loss with this procedure is often fast and dramatic. Most people are also able to keep the weight off long term. Within a year, 60 to 75 percent of excess body weight is often gone. |
Candidate Efficacy | VSG is effective for high-risk or very high BMI patients (BMI > 60 kg/m2) as a “first-stage” procedure. The complication rate is much lower than it is with the RNY Gastric Bypass or Duodenal Switch because there’s no intestinal bypass. | Good candidates have a BMI over 40 or those with a BMI between 35 and 40 plus other weight-related health conditions. |