The types of Bariatric Surgeries: how they related to weight loss
Sometimes obesity is not only about lifestyle habits. When there’s a predominant biologic function that is contributing to obesity, the medical sciences provide a useful solution with the combination of medications and surgery. Bariatric surgery is also known as weight loss surgery, and there are 4 main types your doctor would consider along with you to find the safest form of weight loss surgery adapted to your case.
The 4 types of bariatric surgery we will further discuss are known as gastric sleeve, gastric band, gastric bypass, and duodenal switch.
Gastric sleeve
It works for obese patients with a very large stomach that only fills after a substantial meal. The bariatric surgery process consists of removing a large area of the stomach, turning it into a smaller organ, and closing the gap with staples.
It works by reducing the amount of food you need to fill your stomach and feel satiated. There will be hormonal changes and changes in your microbiota as well, and you should always follow the instructions by your doctor to guarantee success in your case.
Gastric band
A gastric band is a ring that is placed on top of your stomach, and it is filled with a salt solution to press on the stomach and reduce its size. After surgery, you will have a small device in your skin where your doctor will be injecting a salt solution to adjust the gastric band according to your case.
Similar to a gastric sleeve, this band works by reducing the amount of food you need to eat in order to feel satiated. However, in this case, your doctor can decide to remove the band when it is causing problems or not leading to weight loss.
Gastric bypass
It is a more complex weight loss surgery that connects the upper portion of your small intestine to a small section that remains in your stomach. In the first part of the surgery, your doctor will staple your stomach and leave a small section. Then, he will cut your small intestine and attach the upper section to this smaller stomach pouch. The rest of your stomach is then attached farther down to the small intestine to provide your digestive tube with gastric juice and enzymes.
This complex bariatric surgery process has a simple goal: reducing the absorption of calories and the amount of food you need to feel satiated.
Duodenal switch
The fourth type of weight loss surgery is called duodenal switch, and it is even more complex than the gastric bypass. In the first stage of the surgery your doctor will reduce the size of your stomach, similar to what happens in the gastric sleeve surgery. In the second stage of this surgery, your doctor will attach this smaller pouch to your small intestine, but not to the initial part but further down and near the opening to the large intestine.
This type of surgery leads to more accelerated weight-loss but severely reduces nutrient absorption and may cause vitamin deficiency and other complications. However, it is a useful resource for patients who urgently need to lose weight.
In any case, if you’re a candidate for bariatric surgery, your doctor will give you all the information you need and tell you what is the safest form of weight loss surgery according to your goals and the effect obesity is having in your overall health. Book your appointment today.
