Bariatric Surgery
Is the set of surgical procedures used to treat obesity, seeking to decrease body weight and as an alternative to treatment with other non-surgical means. However, not all people affected by severe obesity will qualify for that.
Procedures
Bariatric surgery is a recognized and accepted approach for both weight-loss and many of the conditions that occur as a result of severe obesity; however, not all people affected by severe obesity will qualify for bariatric surgery. There are certain criteria that a person must meet in order to be a candidate for bariatric surgery.
Gastric Sleeve
Gastric Sleeve is a completely restrictive procedure in which an important segment of the stomach is vertically resected, leaving a tubular stomach vertically.
It has been used as a single procedure in the treatment of obesity because it is easier to perform than the Gastric Bypass or the Duodenal Switch as in all exclusively restrictive procedures. It achieves losses of about 60 to 80% of excess weight.
Gastric Bypass
Gastric Bypass is the surgery that produces adequate and sustained weight loss with the best quality of life. This operation combines the two forms of treatment; on one hand, restricting food intake by creating a small stomach with limited capacity but with adequate satiety, and moderate malabsorption on the other.
It consists of reconnecting the intestine in what is known as a Y, leaving a segment of intestine with food transport but without digestive enzymes, causing some elements not to be absorbed therefore allowing adequate weight control in the long term. In addition, 90% of patients with diabetes achieve normal glucose levels soon after the surgery.
Mini Gastric Bypass
The stomach will be divided into two parts. One part will be reconstructed to resemble a tube. The first part of the small intestine will then be bypassed by connecting the stomach tube to a section of the small intestine further down than previous attachment point. The bigger portion of the stomach is left connected to the intestine.
Unlike gastric bypass, the bowel is not cut, and the stomach is left with a larger area.
Intragastric Balloon
The intragastric balloon is designed for patients whose BMI is between 28 and 31, or for patients who are not candidates for bariatric surgery. It is placed endoscopically (via a flexible scope introduced into the stomach via the mouth). The balloon is placed into the stomach and inflated. It is designed to help me to eat less and therefore lose weight. The intragastric balloon must be removed after 6 months. Removal of the balloon requires an additional endoscopic procedure.
Revision Surgery
- Gastric Band Removal
- Conversion from Gastric Band to Gastric Bypass
- Conversion from Gastric Band to Gastric Sleeve
- Conversion from Gastric Sleeve to Gastric Bypass
