VSG

Question
I am interested in the VSG as I have researched it for months.?I am a R.N. and have made myself aware of the multitude of deficiencies I may endure as a result of the surgery and feel that with the help of my primary physician, these levels will be monitored and handled as needed.  My main concern and I have not been able to find any research is the possibility of the removal of vital cells needed for absorption and breakdown being removed or almost depleted and "spawning" the production of "abnormal" cells.  Hence the possibility of stomach cancer in the future.  Do you know of any literature on this subject.  To be honest, I was looking on one site where this procedure was tested on dogs and the outcome was mentioned that abnormal cells were found in the stomach of one of the dogs.  I desperately need to lose weight because I am only 37 but do not want to jeopardize my health even more by having the surgery. Thank you so much for your time.

Answer
Dear Cappy Jeffers,
You are asking an intriguing question.  The real answer will take many years to develop, since the VSG has only been around for a few years and any increased risk of cancer will take 15+ years to show up.

Nevertheless, I can provide you with some data that I believe is pertinent and reassuring.  It is a fact that surgeons have been removing large sections of stomach (and other parts of the GI tract) for decades.  This was done mostly for ulcer disease (once was a prevalent issue, before H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors) and also regularly for cancer therapy.  It has been common for sections of tissue to be removed that bear "essential" cells.  The remaining tissues do commonly change to try to replace the function of the cells which have been removed, but there is NOT any increase in the rate of cancer for any resection that we know of, going back to the mid-1900's.

So the short answer is - I am pretty sure there is not any increase in cancer risk that results from the VSG.

Best of luck!

Dr JP

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