Here is a summary of commonly recommended weight loss procedures, each tailored to specific patient needs and goals:
1. Gastric Sleeve Surgery (Sleeve Gastrectomy)
- Overview: Involves removing a large portion of the stomach, leaving a smaller, banana-shaped stomach.
- How It Works: Limits food intake and reduces hunger hormones like ghrelin.
- Advantages: Effective weight loss, fewer complications compared to bypass procedures, no need for foreign devices.
2. Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB)
- Overview: Involves creating a small stomach pouch and rerouting the small intestine to bypass part of the digestive tract.
- How It Works: Reduces food intake and absorption of calories.
- Advantages: Proven long-term weight loss, improvement in obesity-related conditions such as diabetes and sleep apnea.
3. Adjustable Gastric Banding (Lap-Band)
- Overview: Places an adjustable silicone band around the upper stomach to create a small stomach pouch.
- How It Works: Restricts food intake by creating a feeling of fullness sooner.
- Advantages: Minimally invasive, reversible, adjustable.
4. Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS)
- Overview: Combines a sleeve gastrectomy with intestinal rerouting for significant malabsorption of calories.
- How It Works: Reduces stomach size and alters digestive process to limit calorie absorption.
- Advantages: Significant weight loss, effective for severe obesity and metabolic conditions.
5. Single Anastomosis Duodenal Switch (SADI-S)
- Overview: A modified version of the duodenal switch with one intestinal connection.
- How It Works: Limits food intake and reduces calorie absorption.
- Advantages: Simplified procedure with fewer complications, effective for high BMI patients.
6. Intragastric Balloon
- Overview: A deflated balloon is placed in the stomach and inflated to reduce space for food.
- How It Works: Promotes early satiety and limits food intake.
- Advantages: Non-surgical, temporary, and reversible.
7. Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG)
- Overview: A minimally invasive endoscopic procedure that reduces stomach size using sutures.
- How It Works: Restricts food intake by altering stomach structure.
- Advantages: Outpatient procedure, shorter recovery time, and less invasive.
8. Mini-Gastric Bypass (OAGB)
- Overview: A simpler variation of the traditional gastric bypass with fewer intestinal connections.
- How It Works: Restricts food intake and reduces calorie absorption.
- Advantages: Effective weight loss, shorter surgery time, and reduced risk of complications.
9. Revisional Bariatric Surgery
- Overview: Performed to adjust or correct a previous weight loss procedure.
- How It Works: Tailored to the patient’s needs to address weight regain or complications.
- Advantages: Offers another chance for effective weight management.
Recommendations by Patient Needs:
- Mild to Moderate Obesity: Intragastric Balloon, ESG, or Gastric Banding.
- Severe Obesity or Metabolic Conditions: Gastric Bypass, Duodenal Switch, or SADI-S.
- Non-Surgical Preference: Intragastric Balloon or ESG.
- Failed Previous Surgery: Revisional Bariatric Surgery.
Each procedure has unique benefits and risks, and a comprehensive evaluation with a bariatric surgeon is essential to determine the best approach for individual patients.