Why the Operation I Prefer is the Modified Long Vertical Gastroplasty

I have performed a modified Long ‘high gastric reduction’ vertical gastroplasty (LVG) for over 10 years, and the advantages include simplicity in principle, speed of performance, ease of revision, ease of subsequent endoscopic examination, minimal mortality and low morbidity. The biggest advantage is the lack of long-term nutritional disturbance and the need for lifelong surveillance which characterizes malabsorptive procedures. The cost of surgery is relatively low with only one application of staples, a short hospital stay and an infrequent need for rehospitalization or investigation. A further bonus is that LVG is a good antireflux operation in contrast to gastric banding. The individual weight loss achieved depends greatly on the motivation and use of the operation by the patient, and this is directly related to the quality and content of counselling given to the patient before and after the surgery. Given good motivation, a good operation technique and good education, patients can achieve weight loss comparable to that from more invasive procedures.