TYPES OF BARIATRIC SURGERY

Gastric Band is a surgical bariatric procedure that involves placement of an adjustable band around the upper portion of the stomach. This creates a new, smaller stomach pouch. The band regulates the flow of food between the upper and lower parts of the stomach, so you feel full sooner and can eat less in one meal. The band is made of silicone and has to be adjusted regularly by filling saline into it through the port that is placed under the skin of the abdomen. Gastric band used to be the most popular from all types of weight loss surgeries for many years, but in recently it has lost its popularity comparing to gastric sleeve and gastric bypass surgery. Why? Gastric banding shows lower long term success results as several complications may be involved, such as band slipping or deflating, higher infection risk as the foreign body is inserted. The band has to be removed after several years and often the successfully lost weight comes back. Still, around 50% of gastric band patients are satisfied and benefit from their band surgery for long years. Sigulda Hospital (Weight Loss Latvia) bariatric surgeons no longer perform gastric band surgery due to comparatively lower long term success rates.

Sleeve Gastrectomy. During gastric sleeve or vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) operation the stomach is made smaller in a shape of tube or sleeve. About 75-85% of the original stomach is removed permanently. Sleeve gastrectomy surgery becomes more and more commonly performed weight loss surgery today because it is one of the most effective surgeries with the lowest risk of complications as there are no foreign bodies inserted like with gastric banding, and there is no malabsorption involved like with gastric bypass. However, there are individual conditions, when other types of surgery will be recommended rather than the sleeve.

Read more about the gastric sleeve surgery here.

Gastric Bypass RNY is still considered the ‘gold’ standard of bariatric surgery. During the gastric bypass surgery the stomach is made smaller by creating a small pouch from the upper part of the stomach. The new pouch is connected directly to the middle portion of the small intestine, bypassing the rest of the stomach and the upper portion of the small intestine. Gastric bypass surgery provides the fastest weight loss results and helps to maintain it through the years. Very helpful in treating diabetes type 2 and other health conditions. Recommended with BMI 40+ or lower to persons suffering from diabetes mellitus or GERD.

Read more about gastric bypass surgery here.

There are several other more or less popular types of weight loss surgery, such as Duodenal switch, Mini gastric bypass, Gastric balloon, more recent types – SADI, Stomach intestinal pylorus-sparing surgery, Endoscopic suturing, Aspire assist and other. All bariatric surgeries are considered a very effective tool in treating morbid obesity and, as with every tool, there are certain recommendations to follow to use it most effectively.

Your surgeon will discuss the most effective and suitable type of surgery specifically for you after knowing more about your current health condition and your medical history.

Please feel free to contact us for questions and consultation!