Types of Surgery
In the 1960's the first bariatric surgery was performed. Since that time there has been significant development in techniques!
"Weight loss surgery is also known as bariatric and metabolic surgery. In addition to their ability to treat obesity, these operations are very effective in treating diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and high cholesterol, among many other diseases. These operations also have an ability to prevent future health problems. The benefits allow patients with obesity who choose to undergo treatment to enjoy a better quality of life and a longer lifespan.
Today’s metabolic and bariatric operations have been refined over the course of many decades and are among the best studied treatments in modern medicine. They are performed with small incisions using minimally invasive surgical techniques (laparoscopic surgery). These advancements allow patients to have a better overall experience with less pain, fewer complications, shorter hospital stays and a faster recovery. These operations are extremely safe, with complication rates that are lower than common operations such as gallbladder removal, hysterectomy, and hip replacement.
The goal of these operations is to modify the stomach and intestines to treat obesity and related diseases. This results in less food intake and changes how the body absorbs food for energy resulting in decreased hunger and increased fullness. These procedures improve the body’s ability to achieve a healthy weight."
Reference: ASMBS website https://asmbs.org/patients/bariatric-surgery-procedures
Types of Surgery
Sleeve Gastrectomy
The Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy, often called the "sleeve", is performed by removing approximately 80% of the stomach. The remaining stomach is the size and shape of a banana.
The Procedure
The stomach is freed from organs around it.
Surgical staplers are used to remove 80% of the stomach, making it much smaller.
How it Works
The new stomach holds less food and liquid helping reduce the amount of food (and calories) that are consumed. By removing the portion of the stomach that produces most of the “hunger hormone”, the surgery has an effect on the metabolism. It decreases hunger, increases fullness, and allows the body to reach and maintain a healthy weight as well as blood sugar control. The simple nature of the operation makes it very safe without the potential complications from surgery on the small intestine.
Advantages
Technically simple and shorter surgery time
Can be performed in certain patients with high risk medical conditions
May be performed as the first step for patients with severe obesity
May be used as a bridge to gastric bypass or SADI-S procedures
Effective weight loss and improvement of obesity related conditions
Disadvantages
Non-reversible procedure
May worsen or cause new onset reflux and heart burn
Less impact on metabolism compared to bypass procedures
Reference: ASMBS website https://asmbs.org/patients/bariatric-surgery-procedures
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
The Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, often called the “gastric bypass”, has now been performed for more than 50 years and the laparoscopic approach has been refined since 1993. It is one of the most common operations and is very effective in treating obesity and obesity related diseases. The name is a French term meaning “in the form of a Y”.
The Procedure
First, the stomach is divided into a smaller top portion (pouch) which is about the size of an egg. The larger part of the stomach is bypassed and no longer stores or digests food.
The small intestine is also divided and connected to the new stomach pouch to allow food to pass. The small bowel segment which empties the bypassed or larger stomach is connected into the small bowel approximately 3-4 feet downstream, resulting in a bowel connection resembling the shape of the letter Y.
Eventually the stomach acids and digestive enzymes from the bypassed stomach and first portion of the small intestine will mix with food that is eaten.
How it Works
The gastric bypass works in several ways. Like many bariatric procedures, the newly created stomach pouch is smaller and able to hold less food, which means fewer calories are ingested. Additionally, the food does not come into contact with the first portion of the small bowel and this results in decreased absorption. Most importantly, the modification of the food course through the gastrointestinal tract has a profound effect to decrease hunger, increase fullness, and allow the body to reach and maintain a healthy weight. The impact on hormones and metabolic health often results in improvement of adult onset diabetes even before any weight loss occurs. The operation also helps patients with reflux (heart burn) and often the symptoms quickly improve. Along with making appropriate food choices, patients must avoid tobacco products and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen.
Advantages
Reliable and long-lasting weight loss
Effective for remission of obesity-associated conditions
Refined and standardized technique
Disadvantages
Technically more complex when compared to sleeve gastrectomy or gastric band
More vitamin and mineral deficiencies than sleeve gastrectomy or gastric banding
There is a risk for small bowel complications and obstruction
There is a risk of developing ulcers, especially with NSAID or tobacco use
May cause “dumping syndrome”, a feeling of sickness after eating or drinking, especially sweets
Reference: ASMBS website https://asmbs.org/patients/bariatric-surgery-procedures
Revision Procedures
Revision procedures are performed on patients who have already undergone bariatric surgery and have either had complications from such surgery or have not achieved significant weight loss results from the initial surgery.
Revision surgeries include reconstructing the gastrojejunal anastomosis in a Roux-en-Y Bypass to reduce GERD (acid reflux) and conversion surgeries from a Sleeve Gastrectomy to Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.
You may be a candidate for a revision procedure. Contact our office for more information.