Types of surgery:
The Bariatric Center at Min-Sheng Hospital offers the following procedures:
These minimally invasive procedures are all performed laparoscopically, except the Gastric balloon which is not an invasive procedure and is introduced in the stomach orally using an endoscope.
The doctor/surgeon will help you chose the procedure that is most suitable for your condition.
The procedures described below are those that are the most commonly performed at Min-Sheng General Hospital.
Click on the picture above to see a comparative table of weight-loss surgical procedures
Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y):
In a Gastric Bypass, the stomach is stapled into a small, narrow section, and a large section. The smaller portion is attached to the small intestines about six feet (180cm) lower than the stomach is normally attached. The larger portion of the stomach will be sealed and left unattached to the esophagus.
Since the length of intestines actively working to absorb nutrients has been reduced, the patient will need to supplement his/her diet with vitamin, mineral, and possibly protein supplements.
The Gastric Bypass is a reversible procedure.
Gastric Lapband:
This procedure involves no stomach stapling or cutting, and is thus less invasive. It has the lowest operative complication rate.
An adjustable silicone elastic band is placed around the upper part of the stomach creating a small pouch, and restricting the passage of food. This in turn creates a feeling of fullness and slows down the passage of food.
Digestion occurs through the normal process allowing vitamins and nutrients from food to be fully absorbed into the body.
The band can be tightened or loosened if necessary by adding or removing saline solution to/from the Lapband.
Gastric Sleeve:
A Sleeve Gastrectomy is a procedure in which approximately 85% of the stomach is removed, leaving a “sleeve”shaped stomach. While reduced in size, the stomach keeps its function. The patient loses weight due to a drastic reduction in the amount of food consumed. A gastrectomy can also be used as a first stage procedure for patients that are severely obese and who first need losing weight before considering another weight-loss procedure.
A gastric sleeve is not reversible.
Gastric Plication
A Gastric Plication decreases the size of the stomach without removing sections of the stomach or implanting a restricting device. A Gastric Plication decreases the volume of the stomach by folding the stomach inwardly, and suturing the folds, reducing the stomach volume and therefore limiting food intake. It is a relatively new procedure for people who want to reduce their weight, but are uncomfortable with the idea of having a part of their stomach removed or an assisting device implanted. The results following a Gastric Plication are encouraging; however the long term outcome has yet to be established. The procedure is often coupled with a gastric banding to increase the long term efficiency of either procedure.
Gastric Banded Plication
The results following a gastric plication are encouraging; however the long term outcome has yet to be established. Recent studies undertaken in Taiwan and elsewhere show that a gastric plication long term efficiency is improved when it is coupled with a gastric banding. In other words, the long term outcome is better for a combination of gastric plication and gastric banding than for these procedures when performed individually.
BioEnterics Gastric Balloon (BIB)
The BIB is a soft, silicone balloon that is inserted orally in the stomach using an endoscope, and filled with sterile saline. Since it occupies part of the stomach it provides the patient with a feeling of satiety (lack of hunger) while consuming less food. This procedure is used coupled with a program designed by the doctor, and the dietician, to help you successfully reach and maintain your weight-loss goals. The balloon will be removed after six months and the patient should by them have adopted the lifestyle changes needed to lose weight.
