Can anyone explain the difference between the stomach stapling that was done for many years and the sleeve surgery that's being done today? I have a cousin that had his stomach stapled in the 70's, and a few people have asked me the difference between his operation and my upcoming VSG, but I don't know what to say.

From what I know stomach stapling just sectioned off a part of the stomach to restrict food consumption. There was still the hormones that cause hunger in full force from the entire stomach still being in tact. With the sleeve the part of the stomach that can stretch and the part that makes the hunger hormone is removed so that will never be able to return to what it was prior to surgery.

Stomach stapling is just that...they staple part of the stomach off to create a "pouch" where less food can be consumed. No part of the stomach is removed, just stapled off.

With the VSG, 80-85% of the stomach is actually REMOVED, leaving a bananna shaped sleeve for a stomach, where less food can be consumed.

That's my VERY laymen explanation

Here's a link to stomach stapling explanation....

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertical_banded_gastroplasty_surgery

FYI, I knew several people back in the old days who had the old school stomach stapling procedures who had such severe complications, they almost died. These procedures have come a long way since then.

Thanks to you both for your replies. I didn't realize in the old fashioned stapling that part of the stomach is NOT removed. I always assumed it was. Now if I'm asked I think I can explain the differences. It's getting close for me. I'll start my pre-op diet on the 6th and my VSG surgery will be January 20. ????