stomach stapling: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (medical/historical term)Medical, historical, informal
Quick answer
What does “stomach stapling” mean?
A surgical procedure to treat obesity by creating a small pouch in the stomach with staples, restricting food intake.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A surgical procedure to treat obesity by creating a small pouch in the stomach with staples, restricting food intake.
Informal term for vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG), a largely historical surgical weight-loss intervention. The term is now less common clinically but persists in general discourse as a descriptor for restrictive bariatric surgery.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is consistent; the term is understood in both varieties but is equally dated in clinical contexts. 'Gastric bypass' or 'sleeve gastrectomy' are now the more common lay terms.
Connotations
Can sound somewhat crude or simplistic compared to modern surgical terms. May carry a slight connotation of an older, less refined method.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both regions, primarily found in historical discussions, older media, or as a non-technical explanation.
Grammar
How to Use “stomach stapling” in a Sentence
[Patient] underwent stomach stapling in [Year].[Doctor] performed stomach stapling on [Patient].Stomach stapling is a type of [bariatric surgery].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stomach stapling” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- Stomach stapling has largely been superseded by safer procedures.
- He researched the long-term outcomes of stomach stapling.
American English
- Stomach stapling was a popular option in the 1980s.
- The documentary covered the rise and fall of stomach stapling.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
In medical history papers discussing the evolution of bariatric surgical techniques from the 1970s-1990s.
Everyday
Used by older generations or in non-specialist news articles to describe a past surgical weight-loss method. (e.g., 'My aunt had her stomach stapled years ago.')
Technical
Largely obsolete in current surgical literature, replaced by precise procedural names like 'Roux-en-Y gastric bypass' or 'sleeve gastrectomy'.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “stomach stapling”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “stomach stapling”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stomach stapling”
- Using 'stomach stapling' to refer to all modern weight-loss surgeries. / Confusing it with gastric banding (which uses an adjustable band, not staples). / Spelling: 'stomache stapling' (incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Rarely. It has been largely replaced by safer and more effective procedures like sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass, which have better long-term outcomes and fewer complications.
Stomach stapling (VBG) only restricts the stomach's size. Gastric bypass (RYGB) both restricts the stomach and reroutes part of the small intestine, altering digestion and absorption, which often leads to greater weight loss.
Key reasons include high rates of long-term failure due to staple line breakdown, stretching of the pouch, severe reflux, vomiting, and nutritional deficiencies. Newer procedures proved more reliable and manageable.
Yes, one of the major complications of the procedure was staple line failure or disruption, which could lead to the stomach returning to its original size, rendering the surgery ineffective and sometimes requiring revision surgery.
A surgical procedure to treat obesity by creating a small pouch in the stomach with staples, restricting food intake.
Stomach stapling is usually medical, historical, informal in register.
Stomach stapling: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstʌmək ˌsteɪplɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstəmək ˌsteɪplɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an overstuffed envelope being stapled shut to limit what can be put inside – the stomach is 'stapled' to make a smaller pouch.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY IS A MACHINE / CONTAINER (that can be mechanically modified and repaired).
Practice
Quiz
What is 'stomach stapling' most accurately known as in medical terminology?