Weight loss surgery- what are the options?
Is weight holding you back?
For many people losing weight is a long-term struggle. Diets and exercise can be helpful but often fails to help achieve and maintain long lasting weight loss. If this is true for you, surgery may have an important role in your weight loss journey.
Although surgery may seem like a dramatic step the health benefits can be lifechanging.
Weight loss surgery may be right for you if:
- Your weight is affecting your health
- You are willing to commit to regular healthy eating and exercise (surgery doesn’t work by itself, only alongside healthy eating, and exercise)
Surgery can help with weight loss by reducing the amount of food you can eat (restriction), as well as what is known as a ‘metabolic effect’ – that is changing the way your body processes food. It can also sometimes change your cravings or appetite.
There are several operations for weight loss which can be performed. All of them provide excellent weight loss outcomes but as they all differ slightly it is important to consider which of them is best for you
TYPES OF WEIGHT LOSS PROCEDURES
Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy
Sleeve gastrectomy is the most commonly performed weight loss operation in Australia and will generally be the first choice for most patients. Sleeve gastrectomy is performed using laparoscopy (keyhole surgery), requires a general anaesthetic and a one to two night stay in hospital. It is the safest operation that works consistently.
Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
Gastric bypass is the most established weight loss operation worldwide, with the best track record. It helps you lose weight in two ways. Firstly, a small pouch is made at the top part of your stomach to limit the amount of food you can eat. Secondly your small bowel is joined to this pouch in a ‘y’ shape meaning that food skips or ‘bypasses’ the rest of your stomach and part of your small bowel. Gastric bypass is performed using keyhole surgery, usually requires a 1-2 night stay in hospital and is an excellent alternative to sleeve gastrectomy. It is not designed to cause malabsorption or malnutrition.
Laparoscopic Single anastomosis gastric bypass
Single anastomosis gastric bypass is the newest of the weight loss operations. It provides a similar strong action to the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass but may be safer in the long term. It is also known as a ‘mini’ gastric bypass or an ‘omega loop’ bypass. It is also performed using keyhole surgery and requires a 1-2 night stay in hospital.
Laparoscopic adjustable banding
Laparoscopic adjustable banding has been one of the main weight loss operations performed in Australia over the last 10-20 years. It is safe and has produced good results in a lot of people but has been replaced gradually by the other operations as it tends to work only in 30% of people (sleeve and bypass work in 70-75%)
Which is the best procedure for me?
What’s right for you depends on a number of things, including how much excess weight you
need to lose and medical conditions you may have. Sometimes one procedure is recommended over another, although for a lot of people a sleeve or a bypass are both excellent options.
Dr Peter Hamer will assess you thoroughly and together with him you can make the best decision for your health.
Book an appointment with Dr Peter Hamer today!
