Introduction

Bariatric Surgery aims to treat obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, and many other weight-related diseases.

For many decades, bariatric operations have been refined and are regarded as among the best-studied treatments in modern medicine, says Dr Mainak Pal, a bariatric surgery doctor in Kolkata.

There are different weight-loss surgery procedures, each with its advantages and disadvantages. The following section lists and explains the procedures to help the patients make informed decisions regarding their weight loss surgery.

Types of Bariatric Surgery

Sleeve Gastrectomy 

The Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy involves surgical staplers to remove 80% of the stomach. As the stomach size reduces, it holds less food and liquid, reducing the amount of food consumed. The surgery increases fullness, decreases hunger and allows the body to maintain a healthy blood sugar level and reduce weight.

Advantages

  • Simple and short procedure
  • It can be performed on patients with high-risk medical conditions.
  • It can be used as a bridge to gastric bypass or SADI-S procedures.
  • It helps in effective weight loss and improves obesity.

  Disadvantages

  • It is a non-reversible procedure
  • May cause new-onset or worsen existing reflux and heartburn
  • Minor impact on metabolism

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB)

The Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, popularly known as gastric bypass, is the most common bariatric surgery in Kolkata and effectively treats obesity and other weight-related diseases.

The procedure involves the division of the stomach into a smaller top portion (pouch), about the size of an egg. The surgeon bypasses the larger part of the stomach and it no longer stores or digests food after the surgery. The small intestine is also dissected to be attached to the smaller stomach pouch to allow food to pass. The segment of the small intestine which empties the bypassed or larger stomach is connected into the small bowel approximately 3-4 feet downstream.

Advantages

  • Long-lasting and reliable weight loss
  • Improves Type 2 diabetes and reduces acid reflux
  • Effectively addresses obesity-associated conditions
  • Standardized and refined technique

Disadvantages 

  • Complex procedure compared to sleeve gastrectomy or gastric band
  • It causes more vitamin and mineral deficiencies
  • Risk of small bowel complications and obstruction
  • Risk of developing ulcers, especially with the use of NSAID or tobacco
  • Causes a feeling of sickness after eating or drinking, especially sweets
  • Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS)

BPD-DS, surgery involves the creation of a tube-shaped stomach pouch similar to the sleeve gastrectomy. The procedure is identical to the gastric bypass, where the small intestine is not used.

Following the creation of the tube-shaped stomach, the first portion of the small intestine is dissected from the stomach. A surgeon then connects a portion of the small intestine to the outlet of the newly created stomach. Foods that patients eat then travel to the smaller portion of the stomach and into the latter part of the small intestine.

Advantages 

  • The surgery provides the best results for improving obesity
  • Causes less hunger and more fullness after eating
  • It is the most effective surgical procedure for treating type 2 diabete

Disadvantages

  • The rate of complication is higher than other procedures
  • Greater possibility of vitamins and micro-nutrient deficiencies
  • Can develop or worsen reflux and heartburn
  • Frequent bowel movements
  • Requires more operative time

 Intragastric Balloon

The procedure involves placing a silicone balloon filled with saline in the stomach. This facilitates weight loss by making patients feel fuller and limiting food intake.

Advantages 

  • Loss of about 30% to 47% excess body weight
  • Reduces high blood pressure and heart diseases
  • Improves Type 2 diabetes
  • It helps maintain cholesterol level

Disadvantages

  • One-third of people experience abdominal pain and nausea. It can be managed by oral medication
  • Risk of balloon deflation
  • It can cause acute pancreatitis or ulcers.

If you want to lose weight and reduce the risk of potentially severe weight-related health problems, consult Dr Mainak Pal. He performs all of the above weight-loss surgeries in Kolkata.