Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery- What Options Do You Have?

When it comes to bariatric weight loss surgery, there are a multitude of surgeries that can be considered. Most forms of bariatric weight loss surgery procedures are restrictive in nature and decrease the amount of food that is consumed or else they are malabsorptive procedures that change the way digestion takes place.

Let us look at the various types of bariatric weight loss surgery.

Gastric Bypass, Roux en-Y
This form of bariatric weight loss surgery is such that a small stomach pouch is made for the patient and the stomach is then divided up and separated. The small intestine must be cut and rerouted in order for food to enter the lower portion of the small bowel. Following this bariatric weight loss surgery, a person will be able to eat a small portion of food and feel full right away.

Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass, Roux en-Y
This form of bariatric weight loss surgery involves the use of a tiny, lightweight video camera that is high resolution. Using a very thin optical telescope, the doctor looks into the abdominal area. The best part about this bariatric weight loss surgery is that there is a minimum of discomfort and scarring following the surgery because the incisions made are very small.

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding
Gastric banding is a bariatric weight loss surgery procedure that falls into the category of a restrictive procedure. A band called a lap band is placed around the outside portion of the upper stomach region. The band is made of a safe silicone rubber that holds an adjustable balloon. The band for this type of bariatric weight loss surgery makes the stomach into an hourglass shape. As the name of the bariatric weight loss surgery procedure suggests, the balloon is carefully inserted into the body laparoscopically. In this way the stomach does not need to be stapled or surgically opened. This means that the recuperation period is less than it is for other types of bariatric weight loss surgeries such as the gastric bypass. There is also less scarring and less pain.

Bilio Pancreatic Diversion
The bilio pancreatic diversion is a kind of bariatric weight loss surgery whereby approximately two thirds of the stomach is taken out of the body. After that the intestinal tract is then rearranged in such a way that fats and starches are not absorbed as completely into the digestive system.

Distal Gastric Bypass
This type of bariatric weight loss surgery is similar in nature to the gastric bypass procedure. The bowel is shortened and this limits the amount of food that is able to be absorbed.

Gastroplasty
Also sometimes referred to as gastric stapling or stomach stapling, this form of bariatric weight loss surgery involves the upper part of the stomach being stapled where food goes after it is swallowed. A synthetic mesh or band slows down the stomach