According to data from a recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), more than 1 in 3 adults were considered obese and about 1 in 6 children and adolescents (ages 2-19 years of age) were considered to have obesity. Those numbers are staggering and place the United States obesity rate at 42.2%. 

Bariatric surgery is a recognized and widely accepted approach for both weight loss and the treatment of many obesity-related conditions when diet and exercise programs haven't been successful. For the right candidates it can be an effective solution to obesity and put them on the fast track to living a healthier and more fulfilling life. 

Types of Bariatric Surgeries 

There are 3 primary types of bariatric surgery options that are most commonly used to combat obesity in the United States. They are the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, the gastric sleeve, and the adjustable gastric band (LAP band). All of them operate under the same science, that creating a smaller stomach restricts the amount of food the patient can consume, leading to weight loss. However, there are hormonal components to certain surgical options that make them more effective long term. 

The majority of bariatric procedures involve the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and the gastric sleeve because of their high success rates and low complication rates. The adjustable gastric band is less commonly used because it is associated with higher complication rates, mainly the need to remove the band due to patient intolerance, and lower levels of overall weight loss than its more favorable surgical counterparts.  

The Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery involves a multi step process. First, the surgeon staples the stomach to create a small pouch in the upper region. Next, the surgeon reconnects the small intestine to a hole in the new pouch, so food flows into the pouch, bypassing most of the stomach, then into the latter part of the small intestine, bypassing the first half of the intestine. 

The Gastric Sleeve

The gastric sleeve makes up more than half of the weight loss surgeries currently being performed in the U.S. During this procedure, a surgeon removes part of the stomach and joins the remaining portions together to create a new banana-sized stomach, or "sleeve." 

The Adjustable Gastric Band (LAP band) 

The adjustable gastric band surgery involves putting an adjustable band around the top part of the stomach to create a very small pouch. The band can be adjusted by adding or removing fluid in a balloon around the band through a port placed under the skin of the abdomen. A tube leads from the port to the band around your stomach where fluid can be adjusted to tighten the band if necessary. There is a higher complication rate with this type of surgery so many patients opt for gastric bypass or gastric sleeve.

Benefits Of The Roux-en-Y & Gastric Sleeve 

The benefits of the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and the gastric sleeve surgery are unique in that both surgical options remove the part of your stomach that secretes the hormone ghrelin, which is one of the “hunger hormones” that is responsible for boosting appetite. When the hormone ghrelin is released, signals are sent to the brain to search for satiety. Studies have found that some obesity patients have altered ghrelin secretion levels, making them feel the need to eat more than the body requires. In addition, with the gastric bypass and the sleeve creating a new stomach that is about 1/10th the size of the original stomach, patients feel satiated with smaller amounts of food, thus consuming fewer calories, thus leading to weight loss. 

BASS Medical Group

At Bass Medical Group, our bariatric surgeons are dedicated to guiding you through the weight loss survey process. We have the evidence-based information and comprehensive resources to partner with you to combat obesity.