What Is the Safest Form of Weight Loss Surgery?
Bariatric surgery refers to different types of procedures designed to help an obese person lose excess body weight. It is accomplished by decreasing the size of the stomach, although some variations of weight loss surgery include altering the digestive tract to reduce the amount of calories absorbed by the body during digestion.
Tijuana Bariatrics coordinates care with some of the most accomplished bariatric surgeons in the field to provide you with the best, safest, and most cost-effective weight loss surgeries available. The team at our Tijuana, Mexico, center would like to compare the safety of three popular weight loss surgery procedures: gastric banding, gastric sleeve, and gastric bypass.
Gastric Banding
An inflatable band is placed over the top section of the stomach, dividing the stomach into sections. The two sections are connected by a small passage. The passage to the larger portion of the stomach can be adjusted by inflating or deflating the band. The procedure restricts the amount of food and calories consumed during a meal.
Is It Reversible?
Gastric banding is reversible and the band can be removed if it is no longer needed.
How Safe Is It?
Gastric banding is widely regarded as the simplest and safest form of bariatric surgery in general. The surgery does not affect nutrient absorption, so there is less risk of nutrient deficiency. Recovery time is usually faster than with other procedures, and the procedure involves no permanent changes to the stomach or small intestine.
A study conducted in the United Kingdom followed over 2,200 patients who underwent gastric banding over nine years. It found a 0% mortality rate, a less than 5% rate of complication that resulted in re-operation, and a less than 1% rate of band removal.
Gastric Sleeve
During gastric sleeve surgery (sleeve gastrectomy), about 75% to 85% of the stomach is removed. The smaller stomach pouch reduces the amount of food intake during meals but does not affect the absorption of nutrients during digestion. Patients lose weight by eating less and feeling fuller faster.
Is It Reversible?
Gastric sleeves are not reversible since the stomach size is permanently altered.
How Safe Is It?
In contrast to gastric banding, a study detailing results of gastric sleeve surgery found the postoperative mortality rate to be 0.34% and a rate of complication of 13%. However, the results of a gastric sleeve can be dramatic, and there is no need for periodic adjustments like gastric banding.
Gastric Bypass
Gastric bypass surgery involves the surgical division of the stomach into a smaller stomach pouch and a larger stomach pouch. The small intestine is then cut and the lower part is attached directly to the smaller pouch. This surgery allows for reduced calorie consumption due to smaller stomach capacity, and fewer calories absorbed during digestion since part of the small intestine is bypassed.
Is It Reversible?
A gastric bypass is difficult to reverse, but it may be possible if necessary.
How Safe Is It?
Studies on gastric bypass surgery found that incisional hernias, the most frequent complication in gastric bypass surgery, to have occurred in 8.6% to 20% of patients, and the 10-year mortality rate to be 3.34%. The procedure is safe overall, and can be quite effective at achieving major weight loss.
Which Surgery Is Right for Me?
The best weight loss surgery option is unique to each patient. Sometimes options are limited by factors such as health and body type. Patients who are very obese or have had previous weight loss surgeries may not be candidates for simpler procedures like gastric banding.
It is important to consult with the doctors at our Tijuana, Mexico, weight loss surgery center about your treatment options. We can determine the most ideal and safest option for you.
Contact Tijuana Bariatrics
Tijuana Bariatrics works with the most qualified doctors and surgeons available to bring you the best bariatric treatment possible. Thanks to the exchange rate in Mexico, patients from across the border can save money on their surgery. Call (866) 278-4865 or make an appointment online to learn more about safe and cost-effective weight loss solutions.
