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Types of Bariatric Surgery

There are several approaches to bariatric surgery, but all procedures are either malabsorptive, restrictive or a combination of the two. Malabsorptive procedures typically result in more weight loss than restrictive procedures.

Malabsorptive procedures change the way your digestive system works. Food is re-routed past a large portion of the stomach and part of the small intestine that absorbs some calories and nutrients. With some procedures, a portion of the stomach is removed. These procedures are commonly referred to as “gastric bypass” procedures.

Restrictive procedures severely reduce the size of the stomach to hold less food, but the digestive functions remain intact. This type of procedure may be referred to as a “gastric stapling” procedure.

Procedure types

Gastric banding

A procedure commonly known as a lap-band, a band is used to reduce the size of the stomach and aid in weight loss for obese patients.

Gastric bypass

A surgical procedure primarily designed for obese patients to alter the process of digestion and aid in weight loss. The procedure reduces the size of the stomach and bypass part of the small intestine to restrict the amount of food consumption as well as absorption of nutrients.

Sleeve gastrectomy

The newest weight loss procedure Stanford is performing is the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. This procedure was first described as the first step of a more complicated procedure, the duodenal switch. Initial weight loss from the sleeve gastrectomy alone was found to be very good (50-60% excess weight loss) at one year without the need for further intervention.

The sleeve gastrectomy provides some advantages, namely no anastomoses (connections between the bowel), no adjustments as needed with the Lap Band, and it’s possible to convert it later to the either the gastric bypass or lap band if needed.

The sleeve gastrectomy appears to be a viable option in addition to the lap band or gastric bypass for surgical weight loss.