be considered only if there are serious medical complications. Vomiting and severe discomfort if food is not properly chewed or if food is eaten too quickly. Not adjustable (as with the adjustable gastric band, aka "lap band")). Alternatives Duodenal switch surgery Vertical sleeve gastrectomy Roux-en-Y gastric bypass Selective vagotomy (snipping the vagus nerve, effectively stopping hunger sensations). Mini gastric bypass Long term Although restrictive operations lead to weight loss in almost all patients, they are less successful than malabsorptive operations in achieving substantial, long-term weight loss. About 30% of those who undergo VBG achieve normal weight, and about 80% achieve some degree of weight loss. Most studies have suggested that 10 years after surgery, only 10% of patients maintain a minimum weight loss of at least 50% of their total excess weight at the time of their initial surgery. Some patients regain weight. Others are unable to adjust their eating habits and fail to lose the desired weight. Successful results depend on the patient's willingness to adopt a long-term plan of healthy eating and regular physical activity. According to an episode of Oprah Winfrey that aired on October 24, 2006, 30% of people who undergo weight-loss surgery such as VBG or gastric bypass develop addiction transference, which is transferring the previous addiction to food with a new addiction to alcoholism. The show stressed the importance of examining the root causes of addiction in order to avoid the phenomenon. Complications Staple-line disruption Stomal fibrosis Gastroesophageal reflux disease Incisional ventral hernia History Vertical banded gastroplasty was developed in 2000 by Dr. Edward E. Mason at the University of Iowa. Dr. Mason also developed the original gastric bypass for weight reduction in 1966 and is known for his pioneering work as the "father of obesity surgery". See also Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty References External links Bariatrics Digestive system surgery