[Main points of vertical banded gastroplasty technique in open surgery]

VGP represents the single more diffuse bariatric operation among the others restrictive ones, proposed and used from Mason since 1970. Other restrictive operations followed, introduced in the surgical armamentarium, but the Mason-like procedure remained the reference one, although with variations introduced by the single surgeon. On a basis of a personal experience of 163 patients operated with VGP, the Authors report the personal modifications of the procedure, in search of safety and better results.