Bariatric Surgery or Gastric Reduction
Stomach reduction, also known as gastric bypass, is a surgical weight loss procedure. This procedure is usually done laparoscopically, where small instruments are inserted through several small cuts in the upper abdomen. Restricting the size of your stomach limits the amount of food you can consume.
Who is eligible for gastric sleeve surgery?
-
Body Mass Index (BMI) is 40 or higher
-
BMI is 35 to 39.9 and there is a serious weight-related health problem, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or severe sleep apnea. In some cases, you may be a candidate for certain types of weight-loss surgery if your BMI is 30 to 34 and you have serious weight-related health problems.
The person must also be willing to make permanent changes to lead a healthier lifestyle. Must be ready to divide his/her life into two parts like before and after surgery.
Stomach continues to function
During the procedure, about 80 percent of the stomach is removed, leaving a tube-shaped stomach that looks like a banana. Starting at an area close to the pylorus known as the organ's exit door, the portion up to the esophagus is turned into a tube. The organ retains its normal function.
-
What is a gastric band or gastric ring?
-
Placing a gastric band or gastric ring – both words are synonyms – is an example of a restrictive procedure. This means that the purpose of the operation is to limit the patient's food intake and thus to intervene in his or her energy balance. Placing a gastric band is sometimes also referred to as gastric banding.
-
The surgeon places a silicone elastic band around the upper part of the stomach. In this way he divides the stomach into a small 'forestomach' with a volume of about 15 ml and a larger remaining part. Because the connection between the forestomach and the stomach proper is very tight, the small reservoir fills up quickly and the patient soon feels that he has eaten enough. Because the feeling of hunger decreases, the patient will eat smaller portions and thus lose weight.
​
-
How is the procedure?
-
A gastric band can be placed during keyhole surgery under general anesthesia. On average, the procedure takes 45 minutes. The rehabilitation usually goes smoothly and the chance of scars is small. The silicone ring that is placed is also inflatable, so that the passage to the residual stomach can be made larger or smaller. In this way, the gastric band can be 'adjusted' to the desired weight loss.
-
Perhaps the biggest advantage of a gastric band is that the procedure is completely reversible. However, gastric banding is not for everyone. Patients must follow a strict diet after surgery and may experience gastric acid reflux.
​
