The prevalence of obesity has risen dramatically in recent years, leading more people to consider weight loss surgery as a possible solution. Numerous types of weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, can be utilized depending on an individual’s unique circumstances and health objectives. The goal of all weight loss surgeries is to allow patients to lose weight and keep it off in a healthy, sustainable manner. Weight loss surgery typically involves impairing the body’s absorption of food or reducing the size of the stomach so that an individual feels full after eating minimal amounts of food. There are several common types of weight loss surgery:
Gastric Bypass Surgery
Gastric bypass surgery is known to be very effective at promoting weight loss. During the process, your surgeon creates a small pouch at the top of your stomach. The small intestine is then rerouted and attached to this new pouch, bypassing the majority of the stomach and the first part of the small intestine. Due to the limited size of the new stomach pouch, you can’t eat as much as before, leading to weight loss. Additionally, your body doesn’t absorb calories as efficiently due to the altered intestinal setup, promoting further weight loss.
Sleeve Gastrectomy
In a sleeve gastrectomy procedure, approximately 80% of your stomach is removed, leaving you with a tube- or sleeve-shaped stomach about the size of a banana. It functions similarly to the gastric bypass in that it reduces the stomach’s capacity, forcing the person to eat less. Moreover, the procedure also affects gut hormones and gut bacteria, which results in suppression of hunger, enhanced feelings of fullness, and improved ability to regulate blood sugar.
Gastric Banding
In the gastric banding procedure, an inflatable band is placed around the upper part of the stomach. The band divides the stomach into two parts, with a smaller upper pouch above the band and a larger section below the band. This technique restricts the food that can be eaten at one time and hence you feel fuller sooner. The band’s tightness can be adjusted by filling it with saline, which can be inserted or removed through a port placed under the skin. A tighter band further reduces the size of the opening between the two parts of the stomach, leading to a feeling of fullness more quickly.
Weight Loss Surgery Revision
In some cases, patients might require a weight loss surgery revision. This is typically necessitated when there are post-surgery complications, inadequate weight loss, or weight regain after initial loss. Revision procedures may involve converting one type of weight loss surgery to another, altering the original procedure, or rectifying any issues such as slippages, erosion, or dilation of the stomach or esophagus. The choice of revision procedure depends on the reason for revision, patient health status, and surgeon preference.
Duodenal Switch
The Duodenal Switch (DS), also known as Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD-DS), is a less commonly performed weight loss surgery. It includes a sleeve gastrectomy and the rerouting of a large part of the small intestine to create two separate pathways and one common channel. The larger pathway, known as the biliopancreatic loop, carries bile and pancreatic enzymes from your liver and pancreas to the common channel. The shorter pathway, the alimentary loop, carries food from your stomach to the common channel. This setup reduces the time your body has to absorb calories, hence promoting weight loss.
All these weight loss surgeries have their benefits and risks. An individual should have open discussions with their healthcare provider to opt for a procedure that would best suit their health requirements, lifestyle, and weight-loss goals. Furthermore, any weight loss surgery should be seen as a tool to assist with weight-loss endeavors and should be supplemented with a healthy lifestyle and diet.