Weight loss surgery can help to remove excess weight, but it is important not to treat it as a “cure” all by itself.
Effective and successful obesity treatment is a combination of:
- Lifestyle modifications – increasing physical activity and making dietary changes like eating healthier food and less food;
- Weight loss medications – certain medication may help to promote weight loss, or to suppress appetite. It is important this is always monitored by your consultant, and
- Weight loss (bariatric) surgery – treats obesity by limiting the amount of food the stomach can hold or the absorption of food.
There are three main types of surgery that can help.
In gastric bypass surgery, a small pouch is created at the top of your stomach. This pouch is then connected to your small intestine, so that food is moves directly into it. This means that you will feel full with less food and that you will absorb less food as a result.
Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) uses an adjustable band to separate your stomach into a smaller upper pouch and a larger lower pouch. By adjusting the band, food intake is restricted, leading to steady loss of weight. This procedure is done laparoscopically (keyhole surgery).
Sleeve gastrectomy reduces the size of the stomach by stapling or by actually removing part of it. With a smaller stomach, less food is absorbed.
In addition, at The Alexandra we can offer treatment known as an intragastric balloon. As the name suggests, a special balloon is inserted into the stomach and filled with sterile saline. When filled, the balloon is too large to pass into the bowel, so it remains in the stomach, where it reduces the space available to store food. This balloon can be left in place for six – 12 months.