Bariatric procedures should be treated as tools that can help you change your eating habits to gradually lose weight. Each one has its pros and cons as applied to specific cases.
Below is a list of the four most commonly performed bariatric procedures:
- Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Operation (RGB)- A large portion of the stomach is closed off. This leaves a small pouch to hold food, restricting the amount that can be eaten at one time. The small intestine is cut below the duodenum and reattached to the new stomach pouch, leaving a shortened path for food to travel through.
This procedure is performed laparoscopically. This means that rather than making a big incision, several small incisions are made. By performing the surgery in this minimally invasive way, the pain from the surgery is significantly reduced. Most patients are able to leave the hospital two days after surgery and are able to resume normal activities by the time they come home.
- Adjustable Gastric Banding (commonly known as the LAPBAND)- An adjustable plastic and rubber band is inserted around the upper portion of the stomach to form a small gastric (stomach) pouch. An easily accessible subcutaneous (under the skin) port connects to the band, which contains a balloon like silicone inner tube. Adjusting the band changes how quickly food leaves the new pouch.
This procedure is minimally invasive, adjustable, and easily reversible. It does not involve re-routing or rear-ranging of the intestines. It does not involve dividing the gastronintestinal tract, and therefore it involves no cutting or stapling.
- Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy- This is a newer procedure recommended as an initial step in the management of super-obese patients or those with a high operative risk due to extensive comorbidities. It involves removing a segment of the stomach to make it much smaller, so it doesn't take much food to make you feel full. Studies show that the weight loss with this procedure is slightly less than that with a gastric bypass, but slightly more than that with a Lap-Band.
- StomaphyX- This procedure is for individuals who have had previous gastric bypass surgery and are either regaining their weight or never achieved adequate weight loss. This procedure involves no incisions, shorter recovery time, enables the surgeon to reduce the size of the stomach, is performed on an outpatient basis, the procedure poses little to no risk to patients and is adjustable. For more information on the stomaphyx device click here: http://www.stomaphyx.com/
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It is important for a patient to gain an in-depth understanding of the procedures. The best person to give you this information is your surgeon. Discuss your case with your surgeon and ask about the advantages and disadvantages of each procedure to learn what’s best for you.
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