Losing weight through diet and exercise is always the preferable option. However, if you’ve tried your hardest at this method and aren’t seeing the desired results, surgical weight loss is an option. Here at Laparoscopic and Endoscopic Surgery Institute, we provide a variety of bariatric surgery options in the Atlanta area. Learn more about these procedures to see if they might be right for you.
Different Types of Bariatric Surgery
Biliopancreatic Diversion – The traditional BPD surgery is not widely used, but a biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD-DS) is more favored. This procedure removes a portion of the stomach and reroutes the intestine to minimize absorption of calories.
Roux-en-Y – This combined surgery is restrictive because it reduces the size of your stomach, and malabsorptive because it reroutes your small intestine so food bypasses the lower part of the stomach during digestion. Not only do you consume less food, you also absorb fewer calories.
Greater Curvature Plication – During this procedure, your stomach is altered in size to limit the amount of food you can consume before feeling full. However, instead of removing a portion of the stomach, it is folded and sewn shut.
Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy – This procedure is used to remove a portion of the stomach so you feel full after just a few ounces. This is different from other bariatric surgery procedures because it does not alter the intestines in any way.
Gastric Banding – LAP-BAND is a constrictive band that is placed around the upper portion of your stomach. This limits how much the stomach can expand while you eat, therefore causing you to consume less food before feeling full.
Gastric Balloon – Orbera is a soft gastric balloon that is inserted into the stomach and then inflated to take up a majority of the space. This helps slow digestion and manage portion sizes. It stays in place for 6 months while you learn and practice proper diet and exercise techniques. After 6 months, the balloon is deflated and removed and you continue your new healthy lifestyle.
SADI – Single anastomosis duodeno-ileostomy is a bariatric procedure which combines the reduction in stomach size and diversion of ingested food to the distal small intestines. This procedure may be used as a primary procedure or as a revision of a sleeve gastrectomy to enhance weight loss.
Benefits of Bariatric Surgery
The most obvious benefit of bariatric surgery is severe weight loss. Many patients can lose 80 to 100 pounds in the first year depending on the type of procedure and their lifestyle changes. There is also a significant reduction or elimination of other health conditions related to weight such as Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, arthritis, and more. Patients report having a better quality of life and tend to live longer than those who do not have surgery.
Risks of Bariatric Surgery
As with any surgery, there are a few risks you need to be aware of before having the procedure. Less than one in 20 patients will experience major complications from surgery. This makes it less risky than hip replacement or gallbladder surgery. Also consider the risks of not having the surgery. Your doctor would not recommend bariatric surgery if they didn’t think the benefits outweighed the risks.
Explore Your Options
Now is the time to know if surgery is right for you. Don’t wait, contact us today!
Laparoscopic and Endoscopic Surgery Institute. Has been providing high-quality weight loss surgery for years in multiple locations.