What is Weight Loss Surgery?

Weight-loss surgery or Bariatric Surgery is very effective at producing significant and sustained weight loss. Several different weight-loss operations are currently available that can lead to this desired result. Because of this, one of the most frequent questions I get from patients considering weight-loss surgery is, 'How do I decide which procedure is right for me?'

Each of the most common weight-loss operations done today (gastric bypass, adjustable gastric banding, and sleeve gastrectomy is effective when:

• They are performed by an Expert Bariatric Surgeon
• They are done in a centre that offers an aftercare program that focuses on dietary, behavioural, and exercise changes.
• And most importantly, we are done on a patient willing to work with their operation

No matter what procedure a patient chooses, the key to weight-loss surgery is getting the patient to use their weight-loss operation to implement a lifestyle change.

Each of the available surgeries truly is a 'tool' that will help to control hunger and portion size, but that's it! The rest is up to the patient. Having said that, there are some differences between the available 'tools.' Here are some of the things a patient should consider when deciding which surgery is right for them.

Types of Weight Loss Surgery

Here are the types of weight loss surgery

Amount Factor

• In general, patients undergoing bypass surgery will lose 70 percent of the extra weight, gastrectomy patients lose approx.
• 60 percent and gastric band patients will lose around 50 percent.
• The results depend on the scheduled follow-ups attended by the patient and lifestyle changes made after the surgery.

Reliability Factor

• Patients who underwent gastric bypass or sleeve surgery, most likely achieve the expected amount of weight loss as mentioned above.
• If these patients don't follow the recommended lifestyle, then they may gain weight in due course of time.
• In the case of gastric banding surgery patients can lose 70 - 90 percent of excess weight which is higher than the expected weight loss of 50 percent.
• In some cases, there is no weight loss. No weight loss happens in the case where the patient doesn't follow up or make changes in the lifestyle.

Time Factor

• Patients with Gastric bypass and sleeve generally tend to lose 5 - 7 pounds per week and achieve the expected weight loss amount in a year.
• Therefore, these surgeries give results in less time while gastric banding patients have a slow and steady weight loss.
• They tend to lose 1-2 pounds per week and achieve the expected weight loss in two years.

Reversibility Factor

• Some patients prefer gastric banding over bypass surgery in the hope that when some cure for obesity comes up, they will get rid of the band and live like before.
• Although gastric bypass is also reversible, it is more challenging than removing a band.
• A sleeve gastrectomy cannot be reversed like the other two methods.
• But it should be noted that when banding or bypass is reversed the patient tends to gain weight since the device for controlling hunger and food intake has been removed.
• The only way to maintain the lost weight after reversal surgery is to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Fear Factor

• Many patients fear that minimally invasive surgery means more danger.
• Although this is right gastric bypass or sleeve surgery are major operations.
• When we look at the complication occurrence rate, we find out that both surgeries carry the same probability rate of 10 - 15 percent complication rate but surgeries in recent times are much safer.

Frequently Asked Questions