What exactly does the surgeon do in performing a VBG?
Vertical banded gastroplasty (VGB), which is only restrictive, is another common form of WLS. This operation is performed by creating a 1 ounce pouch near the junction of the stomach and esophagus using a vertically placed staple line. How long does it take to perform the surgery, and why is the duration of the procedure important? The open Roux-en-Y gastric bypass usually takes between 1 and 2 hours, depending on the surgeon. The VBG should take less time and more complicated procedures should take longer. The length of the operating procedure may make a difference. Many studies have documented an increase in the incidence of infectious complications, such as pneumonia and wound infection, after prolonged surgical procedures. Longer operations result in a fall in body temperature that interferes with the immune system. In addition, longer operative times mean increased exposure to general anesthesia, which often results in the collapse of portions of the lung and can lead to pneumonia
