Weight-loss treatments

Adjustable Gastric Banding (Lap-Band) is a weight-loss surgery that involves placing a silicone band around the upper part of the stomach to create a small pouch, limiting food intake and promoting satiety.

Preparation: Before surgery, patients typically attend a pre-assessment to evaluate health and discuss medications. Following fasting instructions and arranging transportation home post-procedure is important, as driving immediately after surgery is not advisable.

Procedure: Under general anaesthesia, the surgeon makes small incisions to insert the laparoscopic instruments and places the adjustable band around the upper stomach, creating a small pouch with a narrow opening to the lower stomach. The procedure usually lasts about 1 to 2 hours.

Recovery: Post-surgery, patients may experience some pain and swelling, managed with prescribed painkillers. A liquid diet is typically followed for the first few weeks, progressing to solid foods as tolerated. Full recovery varies per individual but generally ranges from a few weeks to several months, with adherence to dietary guidelines crucial for optimal outcomes.

Gastric bypass is a surgical procedure designed to assist with weight loss by altering the digestive system. It involves creating a small pouch from the upper part of the stomach and connecting it directly to the small intestine, effectively bypassing a significant portion of the stomach and the initial segment of the small intestine. This modification restricts food intake and reduces nutrient absorption, leading to weight loss. ​

Preparation: Prior to the surgery, patients typically undergo a comprehensive pre-assessment to evaluate their overall health and discuss any medications they are taking. It's crucial to adhere to specific instructions regarding fasting before the procedure. Additionally, arranging for transportation home is important, as driving immediately after the surgery is not advisable. ​

Procedure: Performed under general anesthesia, the surgeon uses keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery to create a small pouch at the top of the stomach. This pouch is then connected directly to the small intestine, bypassing the rest of the stomach and a portion of the small intestine. The procedure typically takes around two hours to complete. ​

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Recovery: Post-surgery, patients may experience some pain and discomfort, which can be managed with prescribed painkillers. It's essential to follow dietary guidelines and gradually reintroduce foods as advised by a healthcare professional. Engaging in gentle physical activity, as recommended, can aid in recovery and improve outcomes. Full recovery varies per individual but generally ranges from 4 to 6 weeks.

​Gastric sleeve surgery, also known as sleeve gastrectomy, is a surgical weight-loss procedure that reduces the size of the stomach to limit food intake. This is achieved by removing approximately 75-85% of the stomach, leaving a tube-shaped stomach about the size of a banana. The procedure is typically performed laparoscopically and is irreversible. ​

Preparation: Before the procedure, patients may need to attend a pre-assessment appointment to evaluate their general health and discuss any medications they are taking. It's important to follow specific instructions regarding fasting before the surgery and to arrange for transportation home, as driving immediately after the procedure is not advisable. ​

Procedure: Performed under general anaesthesia, the surgeon makes small incisions in the abdomen to insert a laparoscope and specialized instruments. The stomach is then stapled along its length, and the excess portion is removed, leaving a narrow tube or sleeve. The procedure typically takes about one hour to complete. ​

Recovery: Post-surgery, patients may experience some pain and swelling, which can be managed with prescribed painkillers. It's essential to follow dietary guidelines and gradually reintroduce foods as advised by a healthcare professional. Full recovery varies per individual but generally ranges from 4 to 6 weeks, during which adherence to rehabilitation exercises and dietary recommendations is crucial for optimal outcomes.

Intragastric balloon, such as the Orbera system, is a non-surgical weight loss procedure that involves placing a soft silicone balloon into the stomach to promote a feeling of fullness and reduce food intake. ​

Preparation: Prior to the procedure, patients may need to attend a pre-assessment appointment to evaluate their general health and discuss any medications they are taking. It's important to follow specific instructions regarding fasting before the procedure, typically refraining from food for at least 6 hours and liquids for 4 hours. Additionally, arranging for transportation home is advisable, as driving immediately after the procedure is not recommended. ​

Procedure: Performed under sedation or light anesthesia, the surgeon inserts a deflated silicone balloon through the mouth and into the stomach using an endoscope. Once in place, the balloon is filled with saline and a blue dye, expanding to about the size of a grapefruit. This occupies space in the stomach, leading to a sensation of fullness. The procedure typically takes around 20 to 30 minutes. ​

Recovery: Post-procedure, patients may experience nausea, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort for the first few days as the stomach adjusts to the balloon. A gradual reintroduction to a normal diet is recommended, starting with liquids and progressing to solid foods over several weeks. The balloon is usually left in place for up to 6 or 12 months, depending on the specific system used, after which it is removed in a similar manner to the insertion.

Mini Gastric Bypass (OAGB/MGB) is a weight loss surgery that reduces the size of the stomach and reroutes the digestive tract to limit food intake and nutrient absorption. It involves creating a long, narrow stomach pouch and attaching it to a loop of the small intestine, bypassing a portion of the bowel. This leads to effective weight loss by restricting calorie intake and altering hunger-related hormones.

Preparation: Before the procedure, patients undergo a pre-operative assessment to evaluate their overall health, including nutritional and psychological evaluations. A special liver-shrinking diet is usually required for 2–4 weeks before surgery to make the procedure safer and easier. Patients should follow fasting instructions and arrange transportation, as driving after surgery is not advised.

Procedure: Performed under general anaesthesia, the surgery is typically done laparoscopically using small incisions. The surgeon forms a narrow tube-shaped pouch from the stomach and connects it to the small intestine, bypassing the upper part of the digestive tract. The procedure usually takes around 1.5 to 2 hours.

Recovery: After surgery, patients may feel some discomfort and fatigue, which is managed with pain relief and a gradual return to normal activities. A specific diet progression—from liquids to soft foods to solids—is followed post-surgery. Most people resume light daily activities in about 1–2 weeks, and full recovery generally takes 4–6 weeks, depending on the individual and adherence to medical advice.

Revisional Gastric Surgery refers to procedures performed to correct or modify the results of a previous bariatric surgery.

Preparation: Before the procedure, patients may need to attend a pre-assessment appointment to evaluate their general health and discuss any medications they are taking. It's important to follow specific instructions regarding fasting before the surgery and to arrange for transportation home, as driving immediately after the procedure is not advisable.

Procedure: Performed under general anaesthesia, the surgeon makes small incisions to insert laparoscopic instruments. The specific procedure varies based on the original surgery and the issues identified. For example, if a gastric band has slipped, the surgeon may reposition or remove it. If a gastric bypass has resulted in complications, the surgeon may revise the anastomosis. The procedure typically lasts between 1 to 3 hours, depending on complexity.

Recovery: Post-surgery, patients may experience some pain and swelling, which can be managed with prescribed painkillers. It's essential to follow dietary guidelines and gradually reintroduce foods as advised by a healthcare professional. Full recovery varies per individual but generally ranges from a few weeks to several months, during which adherence to dietary recommendations and follow-up appointments is crucial for optimal outcomes.

SASI Bypass (Single Anastomosis Sleeve Ileal Bypass) is a bariatric surgical procedure that combines sleeve gastrectomy and intestinal bypass to aid in significant weight loss.

Preparation: Prior to surgery, patients typically attend a pre-assessment appointment to evaluate their general health and discuss any medications they are taking. It's important to follow specific instructions regarding fasting before the surgery and to arrange for transportation home, as driving immediately after the procedure is not advisable.

Procedure: Performed under general anaesthesia, the surgeon first removes approximately 75% of the stomach to create a sleeve-shaped stomach. Then, the remaining stomach is connected to the lower part of the small intestine (ileum), bypassing a significant portion of the intestine. This dual approach limits food intake and reduces nutrient absorption. The procedure typically lasts between 1 to 2 hours, depending on individual circumstances.

Recovery: Post-surgery, patients may experience some pain and swelling, which can be managed with prescribed painkillers. A liquid diet is usually followed initially, gradually transitioning to solid foods as advised by a healthcare professional. Full recovery varies per individual but generally ranges from 4 to 6 weeks, during which adherence to dietary guidelines and follow-up appointments is crucial for optimal outcomes.