Bariatric Surgery

Currently, the Sleeve Gastrectomy is the most commonly performed procedure not only in the US, but globally. It is a restrictive operation to permanently remove about 80% of the stomach. It holds the equivalent of about 3-7 ounces of liquid. This surgery is also a metabolic operation that not only severely restricts the amount and quantity of food that you can eat but it also has some hormonal metabolic effects as well.

Expected Weight Loss: When accompanied by healthy lifestyle changes, after the operation one can expect 70-80% of excess weight loss.

Risks: 

• Bleeding and Leaking
• Also as with any surgery or procedure there are risks, albeit small, for severe complications like allergic reactions, infections, heart attacks, pneumonia, and rarely death.

The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass works by re-routing, re-connecting, or re-wiring your intestines, so that your new stomach is only about the size of a golf ball and holds only 1 to 2 tablespoons of food. 

Expected Weight Loss: You can expect your maximum weight loss to be achieved in about 18 months. When accompanied by appropriate lifestyle changes,  you can expect to lose approximately 75-85% of your excess weight. 

Risks / Complications: 

• Leaking (0.5%)
• Ulcers – avoid NSAIDs (5-7%)
• Strictures (5-7%)
• Dumping Syndrome – very unpleasant sensation of a rapid heart rate, nausea,vomiting, abdominal pain, and sometimes diarrhea resulting from eating foods high in sugar. 
• Also as with any surgery or procedure there are risks, albeit small, for severe complications like allergic reactions, infections, heart attacks, pneumonia, and rarely death.

The duodenal switch, or “switch”, is a weight loss operation that combines qualities of both the sleeve gastrectomy and the gastric bypass. The operation is performed in two steps. First we perform a sleeve gastrectomy removing around 70-80% of the stomach and converting the stomach into a slender tube. We then divide the small bowel that normally connects to the stomach (called the duodenum) to create the bypass portion of the surgery. After food enters the “sleeved” stomach it goes into the initial part ofthe small intestine, but then it is re-routed or ‘switched’ to the lower part of the small intestine (the ileum).

Expected Weight Loss: Of the four operations that we offer this is the most drastic, and as a result, it creates the most weight loss. With the “switch,” patients can expect to lose between 90-100% of their excess body weight.

Risks:

• Protein Calorie Malnutrition
• Mineral and Vitamin Deficines
• Internal Hernias (<2%)
• Gallstones
• Temporary Hair Loss
• Bleeding
• Developing Incisional Hernia

Adjustable Gastric Banding, is a less invasive but restrictive operation. The Lap-Band is a small device that goes around the top part of the stomach. It contains a balloon which is slowly inflated over time resulting in a “tightening” of the band around the stomach. This in turn leads to greater restriction and ultimately more weight loss.

Expected Weight Loss: With the gastric banding, patients can expect to lose about 40% – 50% of their excess body weight.

Risks: 

• Difficulty swallowing due to band slippage
• Lack of feeling full due to pouch enlargements
• Erosions (1/300 cases)