Gastroplasty in morbid obesity: observations in 300 patients.

Morbid obesity is associated with a number of life-threatening complications. Medical treatment of morbid obesity is rarely successful. Gastric reduction has replaced intestinal bypass as the surgical treatment of choice. Indications for operation are fairly standardized, and complications and results are similar in most large series. In our series of 300 gastroplasties done during the past four years, weight loss compares favorably with that in other reported series. Our hospital complication rate has been low because of short operating time and early ambulation. Postoperative vomiting has been reduced by enlarging the stoma. Revision rate was between 1% and 2% per year. The surgical treatment of morbid obesity requires a great deal of personal contact between surgeon and patient in the preoperative and postoperative periods. Because these patients tend not to comply with the dietary restrictions of the operation, close follow-up care is required.