Long-term dietary changes after vertical banded gastroplasty: is the trade-off favorable?
BACKGROUND
Insufficient data exist about the long-term health consequences of gastric restriction procedures used for treatment of obesity. The long-term nutritional changes that occur after vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) were evaluated.


METHODS
All consecutive patients who underwent VBG surgery in one surgical ward were invited for a follow-up study 3-10 years after the surgery. Demographic and clinical characteristics were evaluated from the patients' medical charts. Dietary assessment was performed using a food frequency questionnaire, which included 52 frequently consumed food items.


RESULTS
Of the 122 patients who underwent VBG between 1986-1992, 75 (62%) participated in the follow-up study. The average time since surgery was 5.4 +/- 1.8 years, and the average weight loss was 24.9 +/- 12.4%. Most of the patients eat only one major meal daily, and only one-third regularly ingest solid foods. Dietary analysis revealed a decreased intake of most nutrients compared with pre-surgery, with the exception of dairy products, sweet foods and fluids. The greatest decrease was found in the consumption of fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, followed by meat, fish and complex carbohydrates.


CONCLUSIONS
While the weight loss itself and the reduction in fat consumption that are seen after VBG are probably beneficial, the long-term effects of the decreased consumption of fruit, vegetables, other complex carbohydrates and fish may counterbalance these benefits. The net effect of this trade-off on future health is difficult to predict and requires long-term evaluation of clinical outcome.
Shai
Iris
I
S. Daniel Abraham International Center for Health and Nutrition, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
Henkin
Yaakov
Y
Weitzman
Shimon
S
Levi
Itzhak
I
D000328:Adult; D004032:Diet; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D015391:Gastroplasty; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011184:Postoperative Period; D014675:Vegetables
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins