Vertical Silastic ring gastroplasty: a 6-year experience

Vertical Silastic ring gastroplasty was carried out in 71 patients as treatment for morbid obesity. The mean excess weight loss at 6 months (59 patients) and 2 years (43 patients) was 48 per cent and 65 per cent respectively. Subsequently the weight stabilized around this level with 58 per cent of the excess weight lost at 5 years (14 patients) postgastroplasty. Five patients (7 per cent) failed to lose weight. Sixteen patients (23 per cent) required revision for technical complications but continued to lose weight or to maintain a satisfactory weight. Vertical Silastic ring gastroplasty is an effective surgical method of achieving sustained weight loss.