What Are the Different Options for Weight-loss Surgery?

There are currently seven types of weight-loss surgical procedures, also called bariatric surgery. Each type has advantages and disadvantages. Following is a list of each procedure with a brief description of how each will help you lose weight.

Gastric Sleeve: You will feel less hungry and full sooner.
A big portion of your stomach will be removed, which will make you feel full sooner. You will lose weight quickly because you won’t be able to eat as much. Your stomach will also be smaller, which means it will secrete fewer hunger-causing hormones, making you feel less hungry.

Gastric Bypass: You will feel full sooner and absorb fewer minerals.
Your stomach will be split into two parts: a small pouch at the top and the rest at the bottom. Your intestines will then be rearranged to bypass the top portion of your small intestine. You will be placed on a strict diet that must be followed to avoid problems like malnutrition and dumping syndrome (weakness, abdominal discomfort, and possible bowel evacuation). You will lose weight quickly because your stomach pouch will make you feel full sooner, you won’t be able to eat as much, and your body will absorb fewer minerals.

 Duodenal Switch: You feel less hungry/full sooner and absorb fewer calories/minerals.         A big portion of your stomach will be removed and your intestines will be rearranged to bypass a long portion of your small intestine. Your gallbladder will also be removed. You will lose weight quickly because your smaller stomach will secrete fewer hunger-causing hormones, which means you won’t feel as hungry, and your body will absorb fewer minerals and calories.

LAP-BAND®: You will feel full sooner.
An adjustable band will be wrapped around the top portion of your stomach, creating a small stomach pouch above the band that will cause you to feel full sooner. You will lose weight quickly because you won’t be able to eat as much.

Gastric Balloon: You will temporarily feel full sooner.
Two types of gastric balloons are available in the United States: a single balloon, which may include multiple single balloons, and dual balloon. A deflated balloon will be inserted into your stomach through your mouth, and then it will be inflated once it reaches your stomach. You will lose weight because you won’t be able to eat as much. The balloon is removed after six months.

vBloc Therapy: You will feel full between meals and less hungry.
A device that prevents your vagal nerve from delivering hunger signals to your brain is implanted just below your rib cage. You will lose weight quickly because you will feel full between meals and you’ll feel full sooner while eating.

AspireAssist: You absorb fewer calories because a portion of your stomach contents is drained after eating.
Your stomach will be connected to a port on the outside of your abdomen. After each meal, you will connect a tube and pump to the port and empty part of the contents in your stomach. You will lose weight because a large portion of your meals will be removed from your stomach before you have a chance to digest and absorb it.