Bariatric (Weight Loss) Procedures
Have you repeatedly failed supervised diet, medications, exercise, behavior modification programs and other conservative weight reduction alternatives?
Are you worried about developing health conditions or problems due to obesity?
You may consider one of the weight loss surgical options, including minimally invasive procedures, offered by the Bariatric (Weight Loss) Program at Virginia Hospital Center.
Sleeve Gastrectomy
Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy is a restrictive weight loss procedure in which a large part of the stomach is surgically removed. This results in a new stomach which is roughly the size and shape of a banana. It is a new weight loss surgical procedure so long-term results (> 5 years) are not available. There is, however, a growing body of evidence that Sleeve Gastrectomy, at least within 3-5 years of follow-up, provides excellent weight loss outcomes similar to the Adjustable Gastric Banding and Gastric Bypass procedures. The surgery is done laparoscopically with a short hospital stay. Since this operation does not involve rerouting or reconnecting the intestines, it is a simpler operation than the gastric bypass and does not carry a risk of nutritional deficiencies due to malabsorption. Unlike the LAP-BAND® procedure, the sleeve gastrectomy does not require the implantation of an artificial device inside the abdomen and does not require adjustments. The Sleeve Gastrectomy is irreversible. It does also carry risks of a leak at the staple lines (where the stomach was removed) as well as narrowing or kinking of the long narrow stomach. Some patients with high BMI might need a second stage procedure to enhance weight loss.
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Gastric Bypass
Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass surgery makes the stomach smaller and causes food to bypass part of the small intestine. You will feel full more quickly than when your stomach was its original size. This reduces the amount of food you can eat at one time. Bypassing part of the intestine reduces how much food and nutrients are absorbed. This leads to weight loss. One type of gastric bypass surgery is a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.
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Duodenal Switch
The duodenal switch (DS) procedure, also known as biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD-DS) is a weight loss surgery procedure that is composed of a restrictive and a malabsorptive aspect. The restrictive portion of the surgery involves removing approximately 70% of the stomach along the greater curvature, essentially creating a larger size sleeve gastrectomy.
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The Orbera Intragastric Balloon
One of the newest tools to fight obesity is the Orbera Intragastric Balloon, now offered at Surgical Specialists. It is a new endoscopic non-surgical procedure where we place a balloon in the stomach for 6 months to help with portion control along with our supervised diet and exercise program. It is best for patients with a BMI 30 to 40.
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