Each surgical weight-loss procedure is different. Let the experienced doctors at Cabell Huntington Hospital help decide what type of bariatric surgery is best for you.
Bariatric surgery has been shown to be very effective at producing significant and sustained weight loss. Several different types of bariatric surgery are performed through our program:
Each surgical weight-loss procedure is different, with its own concerns and benefits. Please take a moment to become more familiar with the details, concerns and benefits of each procedure to help you understand which one may be right for you.
The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass works by creating a small pouch closed off from the rest of the stomach to make you feel fuller faster. It also involves re-routing your small intestines, which makes the food bypass a majority of the small intestines. This is both a restrictive and malabsorptive operation. Patients who have the gastric bypass lose an average of 66 percent of their excess body weight in 18 months. A condition known as dumping syndrome can occur from eating high-fat, high-sugar foods. The results can be unpleasant and may include vomiting, nausea, weakness, sweating, diarrhea and feeling faint. Some patients actually view this as a positive mechanism that prevents them from reverting back to unhealthy eating habits.
The gastric sleeve resection works by removing 80 percent of the stomach, leaving a small pouch the size and shape of a banana. This procedure works through calorie restriction and changes in gastric hormones, and it will cause you to feel fuller faster and longer. Studies have shown that patients who have the gastric sleeve resection lose approximately 60 percent of their excess body weight at 18-24 months post-operatively.
The adjustable gastric band works by creating a pouch at the top portion of your stomach to make you feel fuller faster and longer. This procedure works on calorie restriction alone. It is the least invasive of the three procedures, but has the slowest rate of weight loss. Patients with the gastric band lose, on average, 1-2 pounds a week. In 24 months, the average patient has lost approximately 46 percent of their excess body weight.
The duodenal switch works by reducing the size of the stomach and rerouting the intestines. This surgery decreases both the quantity of food that can be accommodated by the stomach and the number of calories that can be absorbed and used by the body. It is both a restrictive and malabsorptive operation. This procedure is associated with the most risks, so it is selectively offered.
Deciding what type of bariatric surgery is best for you depends on your specific situation. In discussions with Dr. Nease and the rest of the team, many factors will be considered, including your body mass index, your eating habits, your health problems, any previous surgery and the risks and complications associated with each procedure.
No matter what procedure you choose, weight-control surgery is only the first step into a lifelong commitment. You must be willing to maintain the permanent lifestyle changes that lead to a healthier life. You must continue to monitor your nutrition, activity, medical conditions and behavior as your doctor recommends. The real work begins after surgery, so stay focused on living your new life as a healthier you!