One Surgery, Lots of Success

 

 

There are three common types of weight loss surgeries available for those looking to lose excess weight: gastric bypass, adjustable band, and sleeve gastrectomy.

 

At Iowa Weight Loss Specialists, we’re asked many times why we specialize in only the gastric sleeve weight loss surgery. 

 

Each surgery has it’s own pros and cons. When it comes to surgical procedures, many times it’s the comfort level of the patient, as well as the long-term results of the procedure itself. Below is a quick overview of the three most common weight loss surgeries to become familiar with each procedure.

 

The Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (Gastric Bypass)

The first well-known weight loss surgery, the gastric bypass has two components. The first component is dividing the stomach to create a small and large pouch. Then, the small intestine is divided and connected to each pouch, rerouting where food goes and how much room it has.

 

Pros:

• Significant weight loss (60 – 80% of excess)
• Hormonal changes in gut that can lead to reduction of appetite and enhance fullness
• Reduction of the amount of food that can be eaten
• Could lead to increased energy usage

 

Cons:

• A complex operation with higher risk and more complications
• Longer hospital stay because of complexity of procedure
• Could lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies
• Must adhere to diet recommendations and life-long supplementation and follow-up

 

Adjustable Gastric Band (Lap Band or Band)

Another common weight loss procedure, an inflatable band is placed around the stomach creating a small upper stomach pouch and your remaining stomach below the band. The size of the band is adjusted slowly over time to decrease the amount of food that can be held.

 

Pros:

• Is reversible and adjustable
• Reduces amount of food stomach can hold
• Lowest complication rate
• Lowest vitamin and mineral deficiencies
• Excess weight loss of 40-50%
• Short hospital stay

 

Cons:

• Slower weight loss
• Foreign device inside the body
• Most likely to need re-operation
• Strict following to post-operative diet and follow-up visits
• Possible mechanical issues with band
• Highest percentage of patients not being able to lose 50% of excess weight
• Overeating could results in dilation of the esophagus

 

Sleeve Gastrectomy (Gastric Sleeve)

This minimally invasive laparascopic surgery removes up to 80% of the stomach, leaving the remaining stomach to look like the sleeve of a shirt or the shape of a banana.

 

Pros:

• Rapid and significant weight loss (60% of excess weight)
• Reduces the amount of food consumed
• Short hospital stay
• No foreign objects or rerouting of internal organs
• Decreases hormones to suppress hunger and reduce appetite

 

Cons:

• Non-reversible
• Possible long-term vitamin deficiencies
• Less complications than bypass, but higher early complication than band

 

Surgery itself is only one part of the weight loss puzzle. While the surgeries assist with rapid and significant weight loss, healthy lifestyle habits including daily exercise and a healthy diet play the biggest role in long-term success.

 

Dr. Todd Eibes of Iowa Weight Loss Specialists states, “I have performed hundreds of gastric bypasses and gastric sleeve procedures in my career.  Several years ago, I switched to performing primarily gastric sleeve surgery since it has a much lower complication rate with weight loss that is similar to a gastric bypass. The sleeve causes long-term reduction in some hormones that help control appetite. By decreasing these hormone levels, we can achieve long-term appetite suppression with a surgery that has a very low risk to most patients.” 

 

At Iowa Weight Loss Specialists, we also believe a whole-team approach is necessary to the success of our patients. We provide support groups, mental health specialists, dietitians, exercise coaches and more, all under one roof to make your life easier and help you achieve your goals.

 

Get more information about Iowa Weight Loss Specialists or register for a free informational session

 

Source: American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery