Weight loss surgery

Weight loss surgery can help you achieve a healthier weight and improve your self-confidence.

Many of us will experience fluctuations in weight at various times of life. We may put on a bit of extra weight while on holiday, or during the winter months when cooler temperatures and earlier nights often result in us being less active.

While this kind of short-term weight gain is not often a cause of concern, if you carry excess weight for a longer period of time, it can have a significant effect on your health, vitality and quality of life.

Weight loss surgery (also known as bariatric surgery) can lead to significant weight loss and improve many health conditions. A doctor who specialises in this field is known as a Consultant Bariatric Surgeon.

At The Alexandra Hospital in Manchester, leading weight loss surgeons provide a range of surgical options to help people lose weight safely and return to a healthier weight and lifestyle. They would be delighted to help you too.

Obesity is used to describe somebody who is overweight with a lot of body fat. It is a common condition in the UK, affecting both children and adults.

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a well-known way of using your height and weight to calculate if you are carrying excess weight. While it can be a helpful tool, it is an imperfect one as it doesn’t account for your age, gender, or the amount of muscle you have.

Generally, a healthy BMI is said to be between 20-25. A BMI of 30+ qualifies as clinically obese, while a BMI or more than 40 is classed as morbidly obese.

Obesity in any form increases your risk of developing more serious health conditions in the future, including heart problems, high blood pressure and joint problems.

There are certain things that can lead to obesity, including:

A sedentary (physically inactive) lifestyle;
Unhealthy eating habits;
Pregnancy;
Certain diseases, and
Certain medications such as steroids and antidepressants.

If you have a family history of obesity, you are more at risk of being obese yourself.

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.

When you come to The Alexandra Hospital for your initial consultation, your Consultant will evaluate your medical history and discuss any concerns you have because of it.

They will carry out a physical examination, which will include:

Weighing you;
Measuring the circumference of your waist, and
Measuring your height.

By using your weight and height, they will be able to calculate your BMI.

They will usually take a blood test as well.

Once your BMI has been calculated and your Consultant has talked with you in detail, they will be able to explore possible surgical options with you.

For some people, weight loss surgery will not be the right answer, whereas for others it will be exactly the right thing.

Effective weight loss treatment is always a collaboration between you and your Consultant, ensuring you always receive the best treatment for you.

While many of our patients are local to Manchester, excellent road links give easy access to people from Cheshire, Derbyshire, Lancashire, South Yorkshire and further afield.

Many people are referred to us by their GP, a Consultant in another speciality, or their private medical insurance provider.

We treat private medical insurance and self-pay patients.

When you visit Alexandra Hospital for your weight loss surgery, you will benefit from:

Fast access to a leading authority – our Consultant Bariatric Surgeons are highly experienced and have helped many thousands of people lose weight safely. We can arrange an appointment for you without delay, so that you can access the help you need sooner.
Innovative treatments – In addition to ‘standard’ weight loss surgery, intragastric balloon provides an effective and safe treatment for weight loss. Our Consultant Bariatric Surgeons continue to research and investigate the best possible weight loss treatment.
Personalised care – We believe in a tailored approach to weight loss treatment. Your Consultant will ensure that any treatment you receive, including weight loss surgery, is the correct one for you. They will oversee every aspect of your care, from initial assessment through to treatment and post-treatment follow-up. If you have any queries or concerns at any time, it is easy to arrange another appointment with them. Where needed, revision bariatric surgery can be carried out.
An experienced team – Your Consultant has quick, easy access to on-site specialists in other fields. The multidisciplinary team on-site means you will always see the most appropriate person for your condition at every stage.
Convenient appointments – Weight loss appointments are available throughout the week and are easy to book online or by telephone. We can also offer remote consultations by telephone or video call if required and where clinically appropriate, making it even easier to access the help you need.
If you are worried about your weight and would appreciate expert guidance, why not book a private appointment today to get clarity about the best way forward, sooner?