Bariatric surgery options
It’s no secret that there is more than one way to lose weight with bariatric surgery. But how do you know which one is which? How do you choose which surgery is right for you?
I chose VSG (Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy) for many reasons, first and foremost of which, was that it was minimally invasive. It has great results, with many patients losing well over a hundred pounds and keeping it off, but it didn’t involve as many potential complications as other surgeries. I also chose VSG because it could always be revised to RNY or Duodenal Switch in the future if I encountered complications or if I did not achieve my goals and needed further help. Revision is and always will be the last resort for me personally, only because I wanted the option to live a more normal life without malabsorption issues or without as much risk of dumping.
But every person has their own reasons and medical needs, which should be taken into account.
Weight Loss surgery is FAR from the easy way out. People who complete the surgery have to work just as hard, make just as many changes, and often deal with more complications, than someone who loses the weight naturally. Both are great options if your goal is weight loss and health improvement, but for some, like myself, weight loss surgery is the only (and often the last) option. It has been proven to improve health issues, increase longevity, decrease health risks, improve sleep and mobility, and even increase the likelihood of other procedures. It can be a lifesaver.
Here’s a quick and easy breakdown of each major type of weight loss surgery. Ultimately, choosing the right surgery for you is between you and your surgeon.
RNY
RNY (Roux-en-Y) is commonly known as a Gastric Bypass. It is by far the most commonly done bariatric surgery and involves downsizing of the stomach pouch, and then re-routing of the small intestines. It helps the patient lose weight by not only limiting the amount of food they can consume but also creating malabsorption through the re-routing of the small intestines so that the body doesn’t absorb all of the calories and nutrients from the food. This is commonly done in patients with large amounts of weight that they need to lose.
VSG
VSG (Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy) is commonly known as the Sleeve. It involves the downsizing and complete removal of 60-80% of the stomach, resulting in the patient only being able to consume small amounts of food at a time. This surgery can be done as a preventative in patients who are only in the obese category with a BMI of only 30-35 in order to stave off further obesity-related issues. It comes with the least number of complications but can also come with regain if the patient isn’t careful.
Duodenal Switch
The Duodenal Switch is commonly known as DS or a mini-bypass. It involves the downsizing and removal of the majority of the stomach pouch, and then the re-routing of the small intestines. It comes with both malabsorption as well as smaller portions for the patient and is a very common and effective procedure.
SADI/SIPS
The SADI/SIPS is similar to the DS in that the stomach pouch is made smaller (but the stomach is not removed) and part of the small intestines are bypassed. It is considered a safer procedure to the DS or Bypass in that it only involves one connection to the intestines, rather than two.
ESG
Endoscopic suturing of the stomach (minimally invasive) that reduces the size of the stomach but can be reversed if necessary. Similar to the VSG but without the removal of the leftover stomach.
LapBand
The LapBand or Gastric Band surgery has been common in the past but is being used less and less. It involves the surgical placement of a band around the stomach that closes off part of the stomach, creating a smaller pouch for food consumption. It does often come with increased complications, the band slipping, or weight regain once the band is removed.
Gastric Baloon
The Gastric balloon is also not done as commonly but involves placing a balloon inside the stomach cavity, in order to take up space and not allowing the patient to consume as much food. It also comes with its share of complications and is not a permanent weight loss solution.
Each of these surgeries has its pros and cons, its risks and benefits. Each one may be better for one patient over another, and if you are contemplating weight loss surgery you should consult with your surgeon about which is the best option for you. If you would like to read more about these procedures and their complications and risks,check out this article.
I chose VSG because I felt it was right for me, my goals, and my lifestyle. You must do the same for yourself!
