Different bariatric surgeries explained: which one is best for you!

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Different bariatric surgeries explained: which one is best for you!

Bariatric surgery is used to help people lose weight. The surgery involves making adjustments to the internal organs, mainly the stomach to restrict the amount of food that a person can eat. Hence, the core idea of bariatric surgery is to make the person eat less.

Bariatric surgeries are of many types. And choosing them is dependent on many factors. Here we will discuss the different types of bariatric surgeries so that you can understand the differences between them.

Different types of Bariatric Surgeries

Let us have a look at the different bariatric surgeries performed in the US. The FDA approves all the procedures we have listed here.

1.    Gastric sleeve surgery

Gastric Sleeve Surgery: Gastric sleeve surgery is one of the most popular types of bariatric surgeries that people choose to aid them in weight loss.

Gastric sleeve surgery is often performed on people who have a BMI of at least 40. This makes you 100 pounds over your optimum weight level.

In gastric sleeve surgery, part of the stomach will be permanently removed to restrict the amount of food it can hold. In most cases, 75 to 80 percent of the stomach is removed. In addition to the reduction in stomach volume, the removal of a large part of the stomach causes less production of the hormone that makes us feel hunger. So the overall sensation of hunger is also low in people who have undergone gastric bypass surgery.

Gastric sleeve surgery has become the most widely performed bariatric surgery in the US.

After surgery, the patient will feel full for a fraction of the amount of food that they had easier. It is estimated that the person will be able to reduce 60 – 70% of their weight in a year post-surgery. Gastric sleeve surgery uses multiple small incisions around the abdominal area of the patient.

Gastric Sleeve surgery has an 80 – 90 percent success rate.

2.    Gastric Bypass

Gastric bypass surgery is arguably the most popular bariatric surgery performed around the world. The first gastric bypass surgery was performed by Dr. A.J. Kremen in 1954. Gastric Bypass surgery works in a very different way when compared with Gastric Sleeve surgery.

In Gastric Bypass surgery, the stomach is first divided into two parts:  A smaller upper portion which can only handle about 1 or 2 ounces of food, and a larger bottom section. The upper portion of the stomach is then connected to the small intestine.

Gastric Bypass surgery is very effective because it tackles weight loss in two different ways. Firstly, the volume of the upper stomach is very low so that the patient will feel full after they have 1 or 2 ounces of food. Secondly, the food travels to the small intestine without going through the whole of the stomach, which leads to the body absorbing only small amounts of calories from the injected food.

Gastric Bypass surgery can be done in two ways. The surgeon can do the procedure with one large incision on your stomach or use a laparoscopy method.

The patient will lose around 65 – 75 percent of their weight in the first year.

3.    Adjustable Gastric Banding

In Gastric Banding, the surgeon makes 4 to 5 small incisions on your stomach. Generally, this method has the least amount of scarring and rest times.

Adjustable Gastric Band surgery makes the patient feel full by restricting the stomach using an adjustable silicon band. The band is placed near the top of the stomach so that the stomach gets divided into two parts: The upper portion with very low volume and the lower portion which carries the rest of the stomach volume.

When the band is placed around the stomach, the person will feel fuller as a result of the food being in the low volume part of the stomach.

The adjustable part of Gastric Banding is about the ability to increase or decrease the tightness of the band around the stomach. The tightness is controlled by injecting saline solution into the silicone band through a tube that runs from the band to the underside of the skin.

Compared with the previous method we have discussed, Gastric Banding is a much less invasive surgery. However, it is not nearly as effective as the others. The overall weight loss from gastric banding is in the range of 35 – 40 %.

4.    Duodenal Switch

 Duodenal Switch is the most effective of all the bariatric surgeries mentioned here. It can produce a greater level of fat reduction and can maintain it longer. However, it is also the most complex process among the three.

Duodenal Switch, also known as BPD-DS (Bilio-Pancreatic diversion with duodenal switch), uses two surgical procedures. The first surgery involving removing a large part of the stomach, much like the gastric sleeve surgery. The valve that releases food into the small intestine from the stomach is not removed.

The second procedure involves connecting the duodenum to the end portion of the intestine, thereby bypassing the majority of the small intestine.

The Duodenal Switch is very effective because it reduces the intake of food by making the person feel full with less food, and the bypass ensures that the body only gets to absorb a fraction of the calories from the food.

Should I even go for surgery?

There was a time where bariatric surgery was the only option for people who are obese and couldn’t control their weight. However, with the advancement in medical sciences, there are more options for you to choose from!

Bariatric surgeries involve invasive surgeries and a long rest period. Let us introduce you to a much easier approach to weight loss.

Endoscopic Sleeve: The new trend in bariatrics

Endoscopic Sleeve is Gastroplasty or ESG is a procedure that is used to help people in weight loss without them having to bear long scars or hefty rest times.

The procedure involves placing endoscopic sutures on the stomach in such a way that it reduces the overall stomach volume. There is no requirement for the stomach to be permanently removed.

The process is also reversible and the patient can go home the same day! Due to these advantages, ESG has been getting more popular in the US and around the world.

If you are looking to learn more about Endoscopic Sleeve is Gastroplasty, then contact Be Better Bariatrics today!

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