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• Sleeve gastrectomy (gastric sleeve)
• Gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y)
Bariatric surgery is a recommended course of treatment for people suffering from obesity. Many patients experience losing 66 to 80 percent of their excess body weight. In addition to weight loss, bariatric surgery has proven to have a beneficial medical impact on other conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, acid reflux, sleep apnea, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), urinary stress incontinence and low back pain. In addition, patients experience an improved quality of life. There are three basic types of bariatric surgery that your doctor will consider.
Sleeve gastrectomy, or gastric sleeve, surgically (and permanently) reduces the size of the stomach by about 15 percent. Although the stomach volume is reduced, it still functions normally so you can continue to enjoy most foods – just in smaller portions. This procedure also removes the portion of the stomach that produce the hormones which stimulate hunger so you will feel less hungry. Like adjustable gastric band surgery (“lap band”), sleeve gastrectomy is performed through a laparoscopic procedure so patients experience the same post-surgery benefits.
In gastric bypass surgery (or Roux-en-Y) doctors create a small stomach pouch with a stapler device and connect it to the distal small intestine. The upper part of the small intestine is then reattached in a Y-shaped configuration.