Which Bariatric Surgery is Best?

January 21, 2024 Bariatric Surgery

Obesity is one of the most common health issues in America. Obesity may further lead to a number of other health risks. While making healthy lifestyle choices is the practiced cure for weight loss, there are several people who have tried a healthy diet and exercise but are still struggling to lose weight due to slow metabolism, hormonal imbalance, etc.

Bariatric Surgery (commonly known as Weight Loss surgery) has numerous benefits in addition to weight loss:

• Long-term remission of type 2 diabetes
• Improvement of cardiovascular health
• Relief from obesity-related depression
• Reduction or elimination of obstructive sleep apnea
• Relief from joint pain caused by excess weight
• Improved fertility and menstrual health by curing weight-related hormonal imbalance

Eligibility For Bariatric Surgery

As per the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (AMBS), a person is a right candidate for Bariatric surgery under the following conditions:

• Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than or equal to 35, or more than 100 pounds overweight.
• BMI is greater than or equal to 30 and one or more obesity-related co-morbidities such as heart disease, high blood pressure, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, etc.
• Inability to achieve weight loss for a long period of time.
• Deciding to undergo Bariatric surgery may be an overwhelming decision, but once you and your doctor decide to go ahead, you have to choose the best procedure?

The definition of best Bariatric surgery varies for every individual as it depends upon the weight loss goal, reason for undergoing the surgery, pre-existing health issues, and a number of other factors. Are you a candidate for weight loss surgery in Mexico? Apply Now.

So, this guide will help you to decide which Bariatric surgery is best for you.

There are numerous different types of Bariatric surgeries and every type has its own pros and cons.

Gastric Sleeve Surgery

It is also known as ‘Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery’. The surgery involves operating only on the stomach. The surgery offers the benefits of fewer complications, a small failure rate of 15% approx., and a reduction in hunger by controlling the number of hunger hormones (Ghrelin) released in the stomach. Other benefits of Gastric Sleeve include lower vitamin deficiency risk and few to no food restrictions.

Gastric Sleeve is Best for:

• Patients who have had multiple abdominal surgeries as it is operated only on the upper part of the abdomen.
• High-risk surgical patients including people with severe cardiac problems, respiratory problems, and transplant recipients or candidates because of shorter anesthesia time and faster recovery.
• Patients who weigh more than 450 to 500 pounds.
• Patients on multiple psych medications to treat depression or anxiety as it does not alter the medicine absorption in the body.

Gastric Bypass Surgery

Under this surgery, the doctors disconnect the top part of the stomach and make a small pouch. A small loop of the small intestine is pulled up and connected directly to the pouch. When a patient eats, the food directly enters the small intestine bypassing 90-95% of the stomach. The Roux En Y Gastric Bypass is one of the most widely accepted Bariatric surgery types due to its high success rate. It has an estimated Excess Weight Loss rate of 60% and is reported to cure obesity-related diseases including type 2 diabetes. The risks of Gastric Bypass surgery include Dumping Syndrome and vitamin deficiency.

Gastric Bypass is Best for:

• Patients who have severe problem of acid reflux as Gastric Bypass surgery improves reflux.
• Patients with high BMIs as the surgery results in more weight loss.
• Patients with type 2 diabetes as the surgery results in favorable hormonal changes.

Duodenal Switch Surgery

In this surgery, the surgeons remove 60-70% of the stomach to create a trademark sleeve (similar to Gastric Sleeve). The small intestine is then divided much further down than in the Gastric Bypass with an aim to bypass 2/3 or more of the intestine. The surgery has the highest success rate in terms of weight loss when compared to other Bariatric surgeries. Patients are expected to lose 60-80% of excess weight in a period of two years. The surgery also results in long-lasting weight control as clinical trials demonstrated durable weight loss of approximately 70% of excess body weight beyond 10 years of time span.

The risks of Duodenal Switch include dumping syndrome, more frequent & lose bowel movements, increased flatulence, and decreased vitamin, mineral, and protein levels.

Duodenal Switch is Best For:

• Patients with severe obesity rate.
• Patients having the severe metabolic disease as it impacts hormonal balance in the gastrointestinal tract to improve metabolic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

Gastric Banding & Gastric Balloon

Gastric banding is a minimally invasive, quick, reversible, and adjustable type of Bariatric surgery. Under this surgery, an inflatable band is placed around the top of the stomach. This makes the patient feel fuller with lesser food.

The risks of Gastric Banding include slipping or mechanical issues in the gastric band, slower weight loss, and vomiting or dilation of the esophagus in case of overeating post-surgery.

Recently, gastric banding (lap-band surgery) has recently fallen out of favor of many bariatric surgeons across the US, Canada and Mexico. Today, most bariatric surgeons will not perform, let alone recommend the gastric banding surgery due to its numerous complications and risks.

A gastric balloon is guided down the food pipe into the stomach of the patient. The balloon fills space in the stomach and makes the patient feel fuller in lesser food portions. It trains the body to feel satisfied with lesser food quantity resulting in positive lifestyle changes such as portion control. The balloon is removed after a few months and the patient is encouraged to stick to the lifestyle changes. Patients may lose 10-15% of excess body weight while the balloon is in place. The risks include low weight loss, stomach discomfort, nausea, vomiting, acid reflux, and infection.

To Whom It is Good For?

• Patients who have tried non-surgical weight loss treatments.
• Patients willing to lose weight but without the long-term effects of bariatric surgery.

Every weight loss procedure has its own benefits and risks. The choice of the right procedure depends upon the reason for undergoing the surgery, the level of weight loss required, and the medical history of the patient.

It is advised to learn detailed information about every procedure and have a thorough discussion with your doctor to choose the type of Bariatric surgery that will deliver the best results for you.

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