What are the differences between weight loss surgeries?

As I have been traveling down this road, I have done lots of research. Although I will admit Lindsay has done a lot more! I will let her share her good finds.

One of the first questions the Dr. will ask is “what procedure do you want?” Well, can’t really answer that without some background knowledge and understanding the differences. (Isn’t it nice that we have choices now?) So let me share with you some of the research that I have found concerning the different types of weight loss surgery.

there are lots of choices but today I will go over three of the most popular:

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band (AKA Lapband):

The Lapband induces weight loss by restricting the amount of food that can be eaten.  The Lapband is an inflatable band that is placed around the upper portion of the stomach creating a small stomach pouch with most of the stomach below the ring. The stomach pouch produces feelings of fullness with only a small amount of food. The size of the stomach opening can be reduced, along with further restriction of food intake, by filling the band with sterile saline.  The saline is injected through a port that is placed under the skin and fat and is connected by a hollow tube to the band. The is done gradually over time with repeated fills. The Lapband requires no cutting or stapling of the stomach or intestines and  is not only adjustable but also reversible.

PROS:  Reversible, adjustable, slower weight loss, least invasive, fast recovery, does not alter digestion

CONS: Continual care for adjustments, slower weight loss, foreign object implanted in body,

Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass (AKA Bypass):

The Bypass induces weight loss by reducing the amount of food that the stomach can hold and also by decreasing the amount of nutrients that are digested and absorbed. The surgery is performed by dividing the stomach and creating from the upper portion of the stomach a small pouch. The stomach is about the sizeof a person’ts thumb and holds only about 3 tablespoons of food. After the pouch is formed, the small intestine is cut and the lower portion is attached to the small stomach pouch. Food now passes from the mouth through the esophagus to the small stomach pouch and directly into the second part of the small intestines, bypassing the larger part of the stomach and about 1 or 1 1/2 feet of the small intestines, creating less digestion and absorption of what is consumed. The larger bypassed stomach maintains its blood supply and , although this part of the stomach no longer has food going through it, the smell of food, the taste of food, chewing and swallowing food stimulate the stomach to continue to produce gastric juices that eventually mix with the food stream in the small intestines.  The RYGB is considered the “gold standard” of weight loss surgery and is considered a highly effective procedure.

Pros: Gold standard, fast weight loss fast and dramatic, up to 83% of diabetes II cases cured, 50-93% of hypertension cases resolved, 82%  asthma cases improved or resolved, oldest surgery with most research available.

Cons: It is an invasive surgery that permanently alters your stomach. Even with newer innovations in laparoscopic surgeries, it still requires a hospital stay and a lengthier recovery time than some of the other surgeries. The malabsorption can cause what is known as “dumping syndrome”, where patients that eat too much sugar get sick, non reversible.

The Sleeve Gastrectomy (Sleeve):

The sleeve induces weight loss by reducing the size of the stomach. The sleeve is performed by surgically removing 75% to 80% of the stomach. The remaining part of the stomach is roughly the size and shape of a banana and holds a little more than 3 oz. Since this operation does not involve any “cutting”or rerouting” of the intestines., it is a simpler operation than the gastric bypass. Unlike the adjustable gastric band, the sleeve gastrectomy does not involve a foreign device. For certain patients, particularly those who are super morbidly obese, the  sleeve gastrecotmy may require a second surgery that is malabsorptive.

Pros:  Fast weight loss, no foreign device, loss of appetite, stomach continues to function normally, you can still eat the same foods, only in smaller portions, surgery performed through small incisions, leaving few scars, The hunger-stimulating hormone, ghrelin, is removed when 85% of the stomach is sectioned off, simpler procedure than gastric bypass, with fewer complications.  93% cure and improved diabetes II and hypertension.

Cons:  non-reversible , post-surgery complications, such as leakage at the staple site, may occur, gastric sleeve has no effect on liquid intake, so high-calorie beverages should be avoided, weight may be regained gradually if you do not adhere to your diet, as the newly-formed stomach may stretch.

I have chosen The Sleeve because it fits where I am in my life. I know that my lifestyle will drastically change however I am looking for a drastic weight loss that will keep me motivated yet limit the side effects.  Lapband is too slow weight loss and Bypass is too fast , so for me the Sleeve was just right (just like Goldilocks said).

What surgery are you leaning towards and why?