Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric Surgery is the most effective method of inducing significant and sustained weight loss. Patients with a BMI >=35 or BMI >=27.5 with obesity related comorbidities such as diabetes can be considered for bariatric surgery.

The two most common type of bariatric surgery are laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Revisional bariatric surgery is also offered to patients who have had bariatric surgery before but suffer from weight regain.

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy:

The sleeve gastrectomy also known as a vertical sleeve gastrectomy and gastric sleeve procedure. The surgeon will remove two-thirds of the stomach and creates a stomach that looks like a pouch into a long tube; therefore the name "sleeve." 

The smaller stomach size limits food intake and decrease the appetite. Patients will only be able to eat a small meal and will feel full longer. 

After the separation of the stomach into a smaller tube, the remainder of the stomach is removed. The valve at the outlet of the stomach remains, this provides for the normal process of stomach emptying to continue which allows for the feeling of fullness. The potential complications of the operation on average are typically less than 0.5%.

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass:

The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass alters both the stomach size and the route food travels during digestion. The surgeon creates a small 30 mL pouch of the patient's stomach for food to pass through which is connected directly to the small intestine. 

The food that the patients will eat after the surgery will go straight into the small pouch, bypassing the remainder of the stomach and duodenum. This reduces the amount of fat and calories absorbed from food and helps suppress hunger.

The procedure is recommended for patients with severe metabolic syndrome, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease or uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes. It is not recommended for patients who have had previous multiple abdominal surgeries. 

Patients typically spend two to three days in the hospital and are ready to return to work within three to four weeks. As a result of the procedure, they typically lose between 60 to 80 percent of their excess weight.