Introduction: Rapid increase in the rate of obesity related morbidities has resulted in the evolution of many surgical techniques for reducing obesity which are resorted to as the last treatment option when all other interventions like weight loss diet, heavy workouts, medicines and supplements etc. fail to yield beneficial results. Weight loss surgery, better known as Bariatric surgery, is an effective treatment modality in this regard.

Weight Loss Surgical Intervention

Bariatric surgery is recommended only for people who are morbidly obese, have a body mass index (BMI) of more than 40, are suffering from obesity related health disorders like high cholesterol levels and hypertension etc. and those in whom all other treatments have failed to reduce weight and fully understand the risks associated with surgery. Given below are various types of weight loss surgical techniques that can help you lose all the extra weight that you have put on.

RESTRICTIVE SURGERIES

The basic technique of restrictive surgical methods is to reduce the stomach size thereby slowing down the rate of digestion of food. Reduced size of stomach means that it can’t hold more food than the available capacity so lower the amount of food that stomach can hold, the less you eat and thus lose weight. Gastric banding is a type of restrictive surgery. In this method, the stomach is divided by means of a band into a smaller upper and larger lower part which delays the emptying of food and thus slows down digestion. Sleeve gastrectomy is another restrictive procedure in which about 75% of the portion of the stomach is removed. The sleeve gastrectomy is, however, irreversible and cannot be undone.

MALABSORPTION/RESTRICTIVE SURGERIES

In this type, in addition to shrinking the stomach size, a part of alimentary tract is bypassed which reduces the amount of food that is digested. Gastric Bypass Surgery (Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass) is the most commonly employed technique. In this method, the surgeon sections the stomach into two and links the upper part with the intestine, bypassing the lower part. This method causes rapid weight loss but carries the risk of nutrient deficiencies. Biliopancreatic Diversion is a modification of the gastric bypass. In this, lesser part of the stomach is sectioned and lesser portion of intestine is bypassed. This method reduces the risk of malnutrition and ulcers associated with gastric bypass method.
The type of surgery that suits a patient is determined on the basis of his previous history of Bariatric surgery and the degree of obesity. Consultation with a physician helps make the best decision for weight loss purpose.

Author Info

Dr Nagi Safa

Dr Nagi Safa is a Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeon (Weight-Loss Surgeon) at the Advanced BMI in Lebanon and at the Sacred Heart Hospital of Montreal, and holds an academic appointment at the University of Montreal. Furthermore, he is involved in the training of residents and surgical fellows on how to perform advanced laparoscopic obesity surgery. In 2010, he launched the Advanced Bariatric and Metabolic Institute (Advanced BMI) in Lebanon, and has been helping hundreds of patients from all over the Middle-East through his expertise in obesity surgery. Education: Dr Safa completed his residency training at the University of Montreal General Surgery Program. He then performed a fellowship in Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and Minimal Invasive Surgery (Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery), at the Sacred Heart Hospital of Montreal, which is the largest Weight Loss Surgery center in the Montreal area, and one of the busiest in Canada. Experience: During his training, and throughout his practice, Dr Safa performed more than one thousand laparoscopic procedures, including Roux en Y gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, gastric banding, gastric plication and many other abdominal surgery procedures. He has a particular interest in LaparoscopicRevisional Surgery including banding, bypass and sleeve. With a keen interest in the advancement of obesity surgery and newer minimally invasive surgical techniques, Dr Safa gained experience in the single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS), and offers Single Incision gastric banding and Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery. Research: His current research interests include clinical outcomes from various bariatric surgery procedures and investigations on the impact of bariatric surgery on Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome X. Memberships: Dr Safa holds professional memberships with the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, Canadian Association of Bariatric Physicians and Surgeons, Canadian Association of General Surgeons, Canadian Medical Association, Canadian Association for Surgical Oncology, Quebec Medical Association, Trauma Association of Canada, Association Quebecoise de Chirurgie, International College of Surgeon, and the College des Medecins du Quebec.