The Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy, often called the "sleeve", is performed by removing approximately 80% of the stomach. The remaining stomach is the size and shape of a banana.

The Procedure

1. The stomach is freed from organs around it.

2. Surgical staplers are used to remove 80% of the stomach, making it much smaller.

How it Works

The new stomach holds less food and liquid helping reduce the amount of food (and calories) that are consumed. By removing the portion of the stomach that produces most of the “hunger hormone”, the surgery has an effect on the metabolism. It decreases hunger, increases fullness, and allows the body to reach and maintain a healthy weight as well as blood sugar control. The simple nature of the operation makes it very safe without the potential complications from surgery on the small intestine.

Advantages

1. Technically simple and shorter surgery time

2. Can be performed in certain patients with high risk medical conditions

3. May be performed as the first step for patients with severe obesity

4. May be used as a bridge to gastric bypass or SADI-S procedures

5. Effective weight loss and improvement of obesity related conditions

Disadvantages

1. Non-reversible procedure

2. May worsen or cause new onset reflux and heart burn

3. Less impact on metabolism compared to bypass procedures

The Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, often called the “gastric bypass”, has now been performed for more than 50 years and the laparoscopic approach has been refined since 1993. It is one of the most common operations and is very effective in treating obesity and obesity related diseases. The name is a French term meaning “in the form of a Y”.

The Procedure

1. First, the stomach is divided into a smaller top portion (pouch) which is about the size of an egg. The larger part of the stomach is bypassed and no longer stores or digests food.

2. The small intestine is also divided and connected to the new stomach pouch to allow food to pass. The small bowel segment which empties the bypassed or larger stomach is connected into the small bowel approximately 3-4 feet downstream, resulting in a bowel connection resembling the shape of the letter Y.

3. Eventually the stomach acids and digestive enzymes from the bypassed stomach and first portion of the small intestine will mix with food that is eaten.

How it Works

The gastric bypass works in several ways. Like many bariatric procedures, the newly created stomach pouch is smaller and able to hold less food, which means fewer calories are ingested. Additionally, the food does not come into contact with the first portion of the small bowel and this results in decreased absorption. Most importantly, the modification of the food course through the gastrointestinal tract has a profound effect to decrease hunger, increase fullness, and allow the body to reach and maintain a healthy weight. The impact on hormones and metabolic health often results in improvement of adult onset diabetes even before any weight loss occurs. The operation also helps patients with reflux (heart burn) and often the symptoms quickly improve. Along with making appropriate food choices, patients must avoid tobacco products and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen.

Advantages

1. Reliable and long-lasting weight loss

2. Effective for remission of obesity-associated conditions

3. Refined and standardized technique

Disadvantages

1. Technically more complex when compared to sleeve gastrectomy or gastric band

2. More vitamin and mineral deficiencies than sleeve gastrectomy or gastric banding

3. There is a risk for small bowel complications and obstruction

4. There is a risk of developing ulcers, especially with NSAID or tobacco use

5. May cause “dumping syndrome”, a feeling of sickness after eating or drinking, especially sweets

It is a method that has emerged as an alternative to Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass surgery and has become popular in recent years. Compared to gastric bypass, it is technically simpler and the operation time is shorter. Complications are less than traditional gastric bypass.

The Procedure

1.  In this technique, a gastric tube is first created, similar to sleeve gastrectomy, but smaller in size.

2.  Then, the first 150-200 cm of the small intestine is disabled and the small intestine is connected to the lower end of the newly formed tube stomach.

How it Works

Like many bariatric procedures in the Mini Gastric bypass, the newly created gastric pouch is smaller and can hold less food, meaning fewer calories are consumed. In addition, food does not come into contact with the first part of the small intestine, which leads to reduced absorption. Most importantly, altering the flow of food through the gastrointestinal tract has a profound effect on reducing hunger, increasing satiety, and enabling the body to reach and maintain a healthy weight. Its effect on hormones and metabolic health results in resolution of adult-onset diabetes even before any weight loss occurs.

Advantages

1. A completely reversible procedure

2. Reliable and long-term weight loss

3. Effective for remission of obesity-related conditions

4. Refined and standardized technique

Disadvantages

1. Technically more complex compared to sleeve gastrectomy surgery

2. More vitamin and mineral deficiency than sleeve gastrectomy surgery

3. There is a risk of small bowel complications and obstruction.

4. There is a risk of developing ulcers, especially with the use of NSAIDs or tobacco.

5. May cause “dumping syndrome”, a feeling of sickness, especially after eating or drinking sweets.

The Single Anastomosis Duodenal-Ileal Bypass with Sleeve Gastrectomy, referred to as the SADI-S is the most recent procedure to be endorsed by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. While similar to the BPD-DS, the SADI-S is simpler and takes less time to perform as there is only one surgical bowel connection.

The Procedure

1. The operation starts the same way as the sleeve gastrectomy, making a smaller tube-shaped stomach.

2. The first part of the small intestine is divided just after the stomach.

3. A loop of intestine is measured several feet from its end and is then connected to the stomach. This is the only intestinal connection performed in this procedure.

How it Works

When the patient eats, food goes through the pouch and directly into the latter portion of the small intestine. The food then mixes with digestive juices from the first part of the small intestine. This allows enough absorption of vitamins and minerals to maintain healthy levels of nutrition. This surgery offers good weight loss along with less hunger, more fullness, blood sugar control and diabetes improvement.

Advantages

1. Highly effective for long-term weight loss and remission of type 2 diabetes

2. Simpler and faster to perform (one intestinal connection) than gastric bypass or BPD-DS

3. Excellent option for a patient who already had a sleeve gastrectomy and is seeking further weight loss

Disadvantages

1. Vitamins and minerals are not absorbed as well as in the sleeve gastrectomy or gastric band

2. Newer operation with only short-term outcome data

3. Potential to worsen or develop new-onset reflux

4. Risk of looser and more frequent bowel movements