5 Types of Weight Loss Surgery: Which Type Is The Best?

With the surge of skinny models not only on the runway but on magazines, television and billboards as well, it’s no wonder why the public is getting increasingly conscious of their weight. A lot of teenagers and even adults have developed eating problems like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa because of the society’s pressure to be thin and lean. Consequently, the weight loss industry is also booming in business. A method that is effective in weight loss and is richly debated nowadays is the weight loss surgery. People are commonly divided in two different sections when it comes to this topic: those that believe in natural weight loss methods and those that rely on science. No matter where you stand, learning about the five different types of surgery is also important in order to make better decisions in the future.

Types of Weight Loss Surgery

1. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass – The National Institutes of Health (NIH) identifies this type of bariatric surgery as an intervention for people who are suffering from severe obesity. In fact, it is one of the most typical bariatric surgeries performed in the United States. Most of the patients who have undergone this procedure lost 70 to 80 percent of their original weight. As if that’s not enough, health problems associated with obesity including sleep apnea, diabetes and high blood pressure were dramatically reduced by 96% after the surgery. This procedure is done by dividing the stomach into smaller sections while the small intestines are redirected to a newer pouch. Once the food ingested richest the pouch, the patient has a feeling of fullness earlier because of the smaller pouch even if they ate only small portions.

2. Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding – Otherwise known as the LAP-BAND system, this surgery does not involve re-routing, cutting or even stapling the stomach. It is considered to be the safest and possibly the least traumatic weight loss surgery. As its name suggests, it is done laparoscopically. The surgeon implants an inflatable silicone band to the upper stomach, which serves as the small outlet for food. Small incisions are created in the process. As a result, this reduces the amount of food that one can eat at any given time.

3. Biliopancreatic Diversion – A surgery that involves removing part of the stomach and making a smaller pouch that is roughly 4-5 ounces in size. Most parts of the small intestines are bypassed and the stomach will be attached to the jejunum. This surgery results to a reduction in the absorption of calories in the body. The Biliopancreatic Diversion can be divided into two different stages with the sleeve gastrectomy as the first stage of surgery.
4. Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy – In this bariatric surgery, up to eighty five percent of the stomach is removed, thereby reducing stomach volume dramatically because of gastric restriction. The only parts of the stomach left intact is the nerves and the outlet valve (pylorus) in order to maintain the stomach’s functions. This method is not reversible so it is important to think thoroughly before undergoing this surgery. This is a recommended procedure for those with BMIs less than 35.

5. Intragastric Balloons – A weight loss surgery done by inserting a balloon into the fundus of the stomach. The balloon will stay there for no longer than six months. Accompanied by restricted diet, this method provides significant results in terms of reduction of weight. It is safe and poses no complications. The most common side effect of this method is heartburn, which was present in 53.12% of the patients used for clinical trials. However, it was intervened by pharmacologic therapy.

References:

1. St. John Providence Health System (2007), “Weight Loss Options at St. Johns Providence Health System”, [online]

2. Genco, A. et al (2006),”BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon: a short-term, double-blind, randomised, controlled, crossover study on weight reduction in morbidly obese patients”, International Journal of Obesity, chapter 30 pgs. 129-133.