Improvement of vertical banded gastroplasty by strict dietary management

Background: Vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) has been found to reduce BMI significantly during the first postoperative year. However, the same trend in weight loss has not been established thereafter. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of our dietary program on morbidly obese patients treated with VBG. Methods: A prospective evaluation of 40 obese patients (25 female, 15 male) undergoing VBG over a 3-year period was undertaken. Results: The age range was 24-57 (median 38) years, mean weight 133 +/- 2 SD kg, and mean BMI 45 +/- 6.4 SD kg/m(2). After VBG, a special follow-up program was applied to patients. All patients (100%) were available for follow-up. Operative mortality was zero. 4 patients developed an early postoperative complication, and 1 patient was re-operated because of staple-line disruption 8 months after VBG. BMI decreased to 34 +/- 3.2 after 12 months, 27 +/- 1.3 after 24 months, and 28 +/- 1.4 after 36 months. All patients showed weight loss after VBG, and the weight loss continued with the strict follow-up program during a 3-year period, except in 1 patient who regained the weight lost despite an intact staple-line and stoma. Conclusion: Our policy for patients after VBG appears to be effective.