- Potential for inadequate weight loss or weight regain. While this is true for all procedures, it is theoretically more possible with procedures that do not have an intestinal bypass.
- Higher BMI patients will most likely need to have a second stage procedure later to help lose the rest of the weight. Two stages may ultimately be safer and more effective than one operation for high BMI patients. This is an active point of discussion for bariatric surgeons.
- Soft calories such as ice cream, milk shakes, etc can be absorbed and may slow weight loss.
- This procedure does involve stomach stapling and therefore leaks and other complications related to stapling may occur.
- Because the stomach is removed, it is not reversible. It can be converted to almost any other weight loss procedure.
- Considered investigational by some surgeons and insurance companies.
Vertical Gastrectomy: Risks and Complications
As with any surgery, there can be complications. This list can include:
- Deep vein thrombophlebitis 0.5%
- Non-fatal pulmonary embolus 0.5%
- Pneumonia 0.2%
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome 0.25%
- Splenectomy 0.5%
- Gastric leak and fistula 1.0%
- Postoperative bleeding 0.5%
- Small bowel obstruction 0.0%
- Death 0.25%
