Which Weight Loss Surgery Is Right For Me?
The four most frequently-performed metabolic and bariatric surgeries each take a different approach to surgical weight loss, and the correct one for you will be based on your unique anatomy and metabolism, medical history, and weight loss goals. Understanding the differences between the surgical options can be both difficult and frustrating if you do not have access to up-to-date, accurate information. Dr. Wiljon Beltre and his experienced team of weight loss experts at Beltre Bariatrics Center for Metabolic and Obesity Surgery believe in the critical importance of enabling patients to make well-informed, educated decisions, and will work closely with you to help you decide which option is best suited to give you the self-confidence and strength to finally realize your ideal size, shape, and physique.
Remember, positive change begins with you. Let us help you reclaim your life today!
Gastric Bypass
Gastric bypass surgery is an effective option that enables very rapid weight loss and extraordinarily quick resolution of some obesity-related health concerns like type 2 diabetes. It requires a lifetime commitment to strict dietary changes and altered eating habits, as well as regular vitamin supplements. During a gastric bypass, a small pouch or tiny stomach is carved out of the main stomach. This much smaller pouch holds less food. The rest of the stomach is bypassed, including the duodenum, pancreas and upper intestines. This causes a robust change in metabolism causing rapid weight loss.
Sleeve Gastrectomy
Sleeve gastrectomy offers similar, but slightly less aggressive weight loss and health-related results as the more invasive gastric bypass but also entails less surgical risk. Nothing is bypassed with the gastric sleeve. During a gastric sleeve, 70 to 80% of the stomach is removed leaving a much smaller long banana shaped stomach. The part of the stomach that is removed is the fundus. The fundus is the part of the stomach that stretches so that you can eat more. The fundus also makes the hunger hormone Ghrelin. In addition, the gastric sleeve gives you some metabolic changes that cause rapid weight loss. Long-term risk of vitamin and nutritional deficiencies and “dumping syndrome” are lower, and long-term dietary requirements are less strict.
Gastric Band
Gastric banding is the least invasive surgical procedure, but results in only moderate weight loss and does not appear to correct obesity-related health concerns except as related to weight loss. The gastric band does not cause any metabolic changes which is why weight loss is not as sustained or profound when compared to the gastric bypass or the gastric sleeve. Vitamin and nutritional deficiencies are extremely uncommon, but long-term dietary requirements are strict and frequent, regular follow-up visits for band readjustment are required. Due to its poor weight loss results, higher long term complication rates and re-operation rates, most bariatric surgeons in the United States do not offer the gastric band any more.
Biliopancreatic Diversion (BPD) with Duodenum Switch (BPD/DS)
BPD/DS is the most technically demanding form of metabolic surgery, but results in the most significant, long-term weight loss and immediate resolution of type 2 diabetes and other metabolic health problems. In addition, the BPD/DS has the least chance of weight regain over time. During the BPD/DS a gastric sleeve is created and half of the intestines is bypassed. This results in less calories being absorbed. Food intake is less limited than with other procedures, but strict adherence to dietary changes and vitamin supplements is required. Foul-smelling gas, bloating, and frequent, pasty bowel movements are lifelong side effects, and the risk of ulcers and heartburn is higher than with other surgeries.
Gastric Bypass - Restricts food intake
- Many metabolic changes may affect calorie absorption.
- Significant and rapid weight loss, treats severe acid reflux
- Rapid improvement of some health problems like type 2 diabetes
- Invasive
- Long-term vitamin deficiencies
- Risk of dumping syndrome
Lifestyle Changes
- Strict dietary and eating habits required
- Life-long monitoring and vitamin supplements mandatory
Sleeve Gastrectomy- Restricts food intake
- Controls appetite, some metabolic changes
- Significant weight loss
- Minimally invasive
- Some moderation of health concerns
- Requires fewer lifestyle changes
- Risk of leakage at surgical site
- Non-reversible
Lifestyle Changes
- Minor food intolerances
- Vitamin deficiencies are possible, but not common.
- Monitoring is recommended.
Gastric Band- Limits food intake
- Least invasive procedure
- Less risk of serious, long-term complications
- Reversible
- Greatest risk for complications requiring reoperation
- Moderate weight loss
- Regular follow-up appointments
- Use of implanted foreign object
Lifestyle Changes
- Vitamin deficiency uncommon
- Strict dietary requirements
- Frequent follow-up visits for band readjustments
BPD/DS- BPD: Limits nutrient/energy absorption
- BPD/DS: Limits food intake & nutrient/energy absorption
- Significant, long-term weight loss
- Rapid improvement of type 2 diabetes & health problems
- Less food limitations & intolerances
- Invasive
- Heartburn, gas, bloating, frequent bowel movements
- Long-term protein & vitamin deficiencies
- Dumping syndrome (less with DS)
- Ulcers (less with DS)
Lifestyle Changes
- Strict diet required to avoid protein & vitamin deficiency
- Lifelong monitoring and vitamin supplements required
- Anti-ulcer medication may be required
Lifestyle Changes
- Restricts food intake
- Many metabolic changes may affect calorie absorption.
- Significant and rapid weight loss, treats severe acid reflux
- Rapid improvement of some health problems like type 2 diabetes
- Invasive
- Long-term vitamin deficiencies
- Risk of dumping syndrome
- Strict dietary and eating habits required
- Life-long monitoring and vitamin supplements mandatory
- Restricts food intake
- Controls appetite, some metabolic changes
- Significant weight loss
- Minimally invasive
- Some moderation of health concerns
- Requires fewer lifestyle changes
- Risk of leakage at surgical site
- Non-reversible
- Minor food intolerances
- Vitamin deficiencies are possible, but not common.
- Monitoring is recommended.
- Limits food intake
- Least invasive procedure
- Less risk of serious, long-term complications
- Reversible
- Greatest risk for complications requiring reoperation
- Moderate weight loss
- Regular follow-up appointments
- Use of implanted foreign object
- Vitamin deficiency uncommon
- Strict dietary requirements
- Frequent follow-up visits for band readjustments
- BPD: Limits nutrient/energy absorption
- BPD/DS: Limits food intake & nutrient/energy absorption
- Significant, long-term weight loss
- Rapid improvement of type 2 diabetes & health problems
- Less food limitations & intolerances
- Invasive
- Heartburn, gas, bloating, frequent bowel movements
- Long-term protein & vitamin deficiencies
- Dumping syndrome (less with DS)
- Ulcers (less with DS)
- Strict diet required to avoid protein & vitamin deficiency
- Lifelong monitoring and vitamin supplements required
- Anti-ulcer medication may be required
Contact Beltre Bariatrics Center For Metabolic and Obesity Surgery
At The Center for Metabolic and Obesity Surgery, located in Maitland, Florida, we offer a proven, multifaceted approach to metabolic and bariatric surgery that will empower you to achieve your weight loss goals, improve your health and appearance, and rebuild your self-confidence. Led by esteemed, Board Certified surgeon Dr. Wiljon Beltre, one of the only fellowship-trained bariatric surgeons in Central Florida, we specialize in the latest cutting-edge procedures for safe, effective surgical weight loss coupled with a dedicated support team of caring, experienced specialists who will stand by your side to support you throughout your entire weight loss journey. Significant weight loss is not easy, but with the help of our confidential consultation and education process, the surgical skill and experience of our medical team, and the advice and guidance of our ongoing support network, we can help you achieve the lasting weight loss success you have been dreaming about.
If you are tired of the endless rounds of fad dieting and fruitless exercise regimens and think you may be ready for significant weight loss with metabolic or bariatric surgery, or if you would like more information on all of the weight loss surgery options at Beltre Bariatrics Center for Metabolic and Obesity Surgery, contact us today for a free, individual consultation. We look forward to helping you start your weight loss journey today!
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DISCLAIMER: Metabolic surgery involves a lifetime commitment to significant lifestyle changes, and is not for everyone. Individual results differ depending on each patient’s medical history and willingness and ability to adhere to the weight loss program specified by Dr. Beltre. As with all surgical procedures, all forms of metabolic surgery carry the risk of complications and side effects; additional details about potential complications, side effects, and other risks will be provided to you by Dr. Beltre during your pre-surgical consultations.
The doctors at Beltre Bariatrics Center for Metabolic & Obesity Surgery have reviewed and approved this content.
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