There are a range of weight loss sugery procedures available to patients. They fall into 2 categories:
- Restrictive and Malabsorptive procedures: This surgery not only reduces the size of your stomach but also shortens your small intestine.
- Restrictive procedures: This surgery substantially decreases the size of your stomach only.
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
This is a combined restrictive and malabsorptive bariatric procedure and is the most common type of by gastric bypass surgery. During this procedure, a small stomach pouch (15 to 20cc) is created with a stapler device. The pouch is then attached to the small intenstine bypassing a large part of the stomach and all of the duodenum in a Y-shaped configuration.
Gastric Bypass surgery can also be performed laparoscopically, using 5 or 6 small incisions which can result in a faster recovery, being released from hospital earlier, less scarring and less pain after surgery.
After the gastric bypass procedure, you will feel full after only eating a small proportion of food due to the small size of the stomach pouch. And, the short delays in emptying the stomach make the sensation of fullness last longer. The malabsorptive elements of the procedure reduce the absorption of nutrients and contribute to weight loss.
Vertical Gastrectomy with Duodenal Switch
This combined restrictive and malabsorptive weight loss surgery involves reducing your stomach by removing more than 85% of it. It is a variation of the Bilio Pancreatic Diversion (BPD) which involves the removal of 2/3rds of your stomach as well as a long intestinal bypass. The duodenal switch procedure leaves a larger portion of the stomach intact as well as a small part of the duodenum – the first part of the small intestine.
As with Gastric Bypass procedure, this surgery can be performed laparoscopically. If you are experiencing malabsorptive complications, the intestinal bypass is partially reversible .
With this weight loss procedure you will intake less food, although the more normal stomach allows for better eating quality. Plus, the amount of calories and nutrients the body absorbs will be restricted.
Lap Band (Adjustable Gastric Banding)
This restrictive and minimally invasive procedure is the leading weight loss surgery undertaken in both Australia and Europe. In this procedure, a device made of a material compatible with the digestive system is placed around the upper part of the stomach dividing it in two parts. This creates a new, smaller stomach pouch that can hold only a small amount of food, so the food storage area in the stomach is reduced. There is no stomach stapling, cutting or gastrointestinal re-routing involved.
The band is adjustable with a salt solution. By increasing or decreasing the amount of salt solution, the diameter of the band can be modified. It can be tightened or loosened over time to meet your individual needs, which can change as you lose weight or as your circumstances change. And if the band needs to be removed, the stomach generally returns to its original form.
As your stomach is smaller, you feel full on much less food which leads to eating less and weight loss. Following surgery you must limit the amount of fat in your diet.
The procedure is undertaken laparoscopically which means a shorter hospital stay, faster recovery and less post surgery pain.
Vertical Gastric Sleeve (Sleeve Gastrectomy)
Vertical sleeve gastrectomy is restrictive obesity surgery in which the stomach is reduced to approximately 15% of its original size, by removing a large portion of the stomach. Unlike many other forms of bariatric surgery, the outlet valve and the nerves to the stomach remain intact. While the stomach is decreased in size significantly, it continues to function normally which means that there are far fewer restrictions on the foods which you can eat following surgery.
The procedure permanently reduces the size of the stomach, resulting in the a reduction of the quantity of food that you can eat. The procedure is performed laparoscopically and, as with Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, is not reversible.
