Bariatric Surgery is a suite of surgical options, which can help people with a high Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or above. Doctors recommend weight loss surgery because it has been proven to be the most effective way for people with obesity to lose a large amount of weight and keep it off for life, which improves or resolves weight related health problems [hyperlink to benefits of bariatric surgery]. Depending on the procedure, surgery provides 50-100% excess weight loss at 12 months with maximal weight loss at 18 months, compared to the 10-20% weight loss typically achieved after 12 months of diet and exercise, with most people regaining weight by 18 months.
Whilst for many people, how to lose weight fast is a life long struggle, bariatric surgery is only applicable to certain individuals.
At the Surgical Weight Loss Centre, we perform several different types of bariatric surgery procedure for medical weight loss, all using a minimally invasive keyhole (laparoscopic) approach. It’s important to note that the results listed below are typical results from the published literature. With the right motivation and support people have achieved 100% weight loss with each procedure, and we see that with our patients at the Surgical Weight Loss Centre.
Sleeve Gastrectomy, also known as Gastric Sleeve surgery, is a technique where the bulge of the stomach is removed laparoscopically– effectively changing the stomach into a long narrow tube. Your stomach is reduced to about the size and shape of a banana and it’s opening into your small intestine is unchanged. Research has shown that individuals who received this laparoscopic surgery typically lose between 60-80% of their excess weight by one year. Long-term 10 year weight loss results are available showing that around two-thirds of people maintain this massive weight loss.
Gastric Bypass can be performed laparoscopically with either the classic technique (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass) or using the more recent Omega-loop technique (known as the ‘Mini’ gastric bypass). In both, the majority of the stomach and the upper part of the small intestine is bypassed. This is achieved by stapling closed a large portion of the stomach, leaving a small pouch, for your food – this pouch is then joined to the small intestine lower down that the stomach’s usual insertion point. This means that food bypasses a large portion of the small intestine and so less is absorbed, aiding weight loss. Long term 20-year weight loss results are available for the classic bypass, which show people typically lose 60-85% of their excess weight and keep it off.
Adjustable Gastric Banding, also known as a Stomach Band or a Lap Band, is a type of weight reduction surgery that can be customised to your needs. It involves the insertion of an adjustable band around the top of the stomach, using laparoscopic surgery. Using an access port inserted just under your skin, the restriction of the band can be increased every 2-4 weeks until the optimal restriction is achieved. Research has shown that this is a very effective method for long term weight loss for certain individuals (around 50% excess weight loss), however the weight loss is less predictable and problems like regurgitation, obstruction and slippage are common. Long term results show that there is a high re-operation rate for gastric bands, with many people having them removed and converting to a sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass procedure.
SADI (Stomach Intestinal Pylorus-Sparing Surgery) is a promising weight loss surgery procedure that has evolved in recent years. SADI combines a sleeve gastrectomy with a “loop” small bowel bypass and importantly, retains the function of the pylorus as the outlet valve from the stomach. The initial results have been excellent, typically producing 90-100% excess weight loss at one year. While it is still too early to make bold claims about long-term weight loss, it is anticipated that SADI will be more effective than a sleeve gastrectomy and will avoid most of the long term problems of both gastric bypass and duodenal switch surgery.
At the Surgical Weight Loss Centre we tailor the treatment to you by selecting the best procedure for your specific circumstances, and designing a step-by-step short and a long term weight loss plan for you. We help take the stress and confusion away by giving you a complete a plan that shows the best way to for you to lose a large amount of weight and keep it off for life.
For more information on the best way to lose weight for your situation, call us on 07 5556 8888 or contact us here.