Managing your weight is a major step toward wellness because obesity has more than just cosmetic consequences. Carrying too much weight has a negative impact on nearly every system in the body. Obesity raises the risk for Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and a host of other chronic diseases.
People struggling with their weight can rely on the expertise, knowledge, and support of board-certified surgeon, Jamshid Nazarian, MD, and his compassionate and skilled team. Having performed more than 4,000 weight-loss surgeries, Dr. Nazarian remains at the forefront of advances in bariatric surgery.
Today, most weight-loss surgeries are performed using minimally invasive techniques, and people who are considering weight-loss surgery have multiple options to choose from.
Our experts share some factors for you to consider when deciding which weight-loss surgery — gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, or gastric band — may be best for you.
Gastric bypass surgery
Gastric bypass is a surgical approach that shrinks that size of the stomach and reroutes the gastrointestinal tract. Dr. Nazarian disconnects the upper part of the stomach to make a small pouch and connects it to the small intestine.
A typical stomach is about the size of a football, but the gastric bypass reduces your stomach size by roughly 90%. After the surgery, your stomach can only hold 2-3 ounces of food.
Who is gastric bypass good for?
Gastric bypass is a powerful weight-loss tool that leads to dramatic, lasting weight loss for most people. Patients lose 60-80% of their excess body weight. Additionally, rerouting the gastrointestinal tract produces favorable hormonal changes shown to reverse Type 2 diabetes in many patients.
Gastric bypass is an excellent option for most people, especially anyone with a high body mass index (BMI) or Type 2 diabetes.
Sleeve gastrectomy
Commonly known as a gastric sleeve, the sleeve gastrectomy surgical approach involves only the upper abdomen. The procedure removes 80-85% of the stomach, leaving a smaller, tube-shaped stomach. This approach is lower risk than gastric bypass.
Sleeve gastrectomy patients lose 60-70% of their excess body weight, and like a gastric bypass, the procedure typically improves diabetes.
Who is sleeve gastrectomy good for?
Patients who have had previous abdominal surgeries may not be candidates for gastric bypass due to existing scar tissue and therefore are better candidates for sleeve gastrectomy.
Gastric sleeve is also a safer option for high-risk patients, such as those with severe heart disease or lung problems.
Because a gastric bypass can affect the absorption of certain medications, people who must take these medicines are often better candidates for a gastric sleeve.
Gastric band
Gastric banding is also called a LAP-BANDⓇ or laparoscopic banding. It involves placing an inflatable band that squeezes the stomach into two sections, a smaller upper pouch and a larger lower pouch. A small channel connects the two sections.
Gastric band surgery slows the emptying of the upper pouch so that you can only eat ½-1 cup of food before feeling full.
Who is gastric banding good for?
Gastric banding is adjustable and reversible. Patients with lower BMIs and those who aren’t ready for surgeries that permanently alter the digestive system may want to consider gastric banding. You can visit our office to have the band adjusted, and when you’re ready, have surgery to have the band removed.
Deciding on the right weight-loss surgery requires in-depth discussion with Dr. Nazarian. Your starting weight, current health status, and expectations are factors he considers when recommending the type of bariatric surgery for you.
If you’re ready to finally lose weight and keep it off, contact our office to get started. Call our Beverly Hills office to schedule your initial consultation. A new you is waiting!