Types of Weight Loss Surgeries?

Gastric Banding is a type of Restrictive surgeries aim to produce weight loss. This surgery uses a technique to reduce the size of the stomach thus lowering the food intake. Patients feel fuller faster and hence, lose weight.

Types of Restrictive Weight Loss Surgeries are:

a)      Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band – Also known as the LAP-BAND, in this procedure the surgeon places an adjustable silicon band around the upper stomach of the patient. This creates a pouch reducing the food intake and storage. The band can be adjusted as needed thus reducing the side effects and aiding weight loss. These bands help reduce on an average 40% of excess weight.

This surgery is the one of the safest surgeries as it does not interfere with food absorption nor is there any removal of parts. The procedure can be reversed if necessary and stomach can be brought back to normal size with time.  Though having low complication rate some problems may occur such as:

v  Nausea and Vomiting

v  Failure due to Balloon Leakage or Infections

b)      Vertical Banded Gastroplasty (VBG) – In this procedure, a plastic band is placed around the stomach and the portion above the band is stapled into a pouch. VBG results in less weight loss compared to other procedures and has a high complication rate. This procedure is not often used today.

c)       Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy – In this procedure, a portion of the stomach is removed thus resulting in rapid weight loss. The food intake gets reduced without any bypass of the intestines or malabsorption.  The portion of the stomach that stimulates hunger is removed, but tends to function normally. Potential for weight loss is less and the procedure is irreversible.

Mixed Surgeries: Restrictive surgery is an important part of all weight loss surgeries. In gastric bypass surgery, stomach stapling, part of restrictive surgery is done first to create a small pouch. This is then reconnected to a part of the small intestine. This reduces the food intake (Restrictive) and lowers the food absorption (Malabsorptive).