What Are Your Weight Loss Surgery Options? Comparing Obesity Procedures

Bariatric surgery is not a one-size-fits-all procedure; there are several types of weight loss surgery, and the right one for your needs depends on several factors, such as your current body mass index (BMI) and overall health. The most common procedures offered by Dr V Kuzinkovas at Advanced Surgicare include lap band surgery, sleeve gastrectomy, and gastric bypass. Our certified bariatric surgeon in Sydney discusses the candidacy requirements, procedure details, and results of each bariatric surgery below. 

Lap Band Surgery

Lap band surgery positions a silicone band at the upper portion of the stomach and adjusts the band to restrict food intake for weight loss. Patients interested in lap band should have a BMI of 40 or higher or 30 with one or more obesity-related health problems, such as diabetes. You must be at least 16 years old for lap band surgery. 

Gastric banding is a minimally invasive procedure performed laparoscopically that takes 30 to 40 minutes. The surgery is reversible and does not change normal digestion. Lap band surgery has a lower risk of early surgical complications and has the lowest mortality rate among bariatric procedures. 

Plan to stay in the hospital for one day and take one week off work. You will need regular follow-up visits to adjust the gastric band and may shed up to 50% of your excess weight.

Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Sleeve gastrectomy is a moderately invasive procedure also performed with a laparoscope. This obesity surgery removes 70-80% of the stomach and alters the body’s digestive process to stop hunger. Patients should have a BMI of 30 or higher and be at least 18 years old. Gastric sleeve is not reversible because most of the stomach organ is surgically removed. Sleeve gastrectomy has a low mortality rate and does not place a foreign body around the stomach. 

Many gastric sleeve patients experience improved symptoms or complete remission or resolution of obesity-related conditions, including diabetes. Dr Kuzinkovas calls sleeve gastrectomy a “set and forget” procedure because there are fewer follow-up visits than other procedures, with appointments every one to two months for the first six months and then a check-in every three to six months.

Plan to stay in the hospital for two to three days and take up to two weeks away from work. Patients enjoy a very good quality of life and can lose up to 70% of their excess weight.

Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric bypass reduces the stomach size, so patients must eat smaller portions and will feel fuller faster and for longer. It is an invasive laparoscopic procedure that alters several areas inside the abdomen to change the digestive process. Gastric bypass takes 60 to 90 minutes and is reversible. 

Like lap band, patients interested in gastric bypass must have a BMI of 40 or higher or a BMI of at least 30 with one or more obesity-related medical issues. You must be 18 or older for gastric bypass surgery. 

Gastric bypass is considered the best operation for long-term improvement and features rapid initial weight loss and improvement or total remission of diabetes. This procedure offers the most weight loss, with patients losing up to 80% of their excess weight. 

Plan to stay in the hospital for up to three days and take up to two weeks off work after gastric bypass. The follow-up schedule is the same as gastric sleeve, and gastric bypass patients enjoy a good quality of life. 

If you’re ready to improve your health and life with bariatric surgery, contact Advanced Surgicare at one of our offices in Sydney to discuss your options. Schedule your consultation with our certified bariatric surgeon by calling 1300-551-533.