What Are My Weight Loss Surgery Options?

At Nationwide Children’s Hospital, three types of weight loss surgery are offered:

• Gastric Bypass
• Gastric Sleeve
• Laparoscopic Adjustable Band (currently, based on FDA regulations, you must be at least 18 years old to have laparoscopic adjustable band surgery)

All of these surgeries cause restriction in the amount of food that can be eaten at one time, so you feel full faster. The gastric bypass also causes malabsorption, which keeps the intestines from absorbing some calories that otherwise would be stored as fat. Weight loss is fastest with gastric bypass and slowest with the laparoscopic adjustable band. Weight loss with the gastric sleeve is somewhere between the bypass and the laparoscopic adjustable band. Of course, the weight loss for any surgery depends on how well you follow the recommended nutrition and exercise program.

Laparoscopic Weight Loss Surgery vs. Open Surgery

Most patients are candidates for laparoscopic weight loss surgery. In this type of surgery, several small incisions are made in the stomach, through which small, thin instruments, including a telescope and camera, are inserted. The camera and telescope send pictures of the internal organs and surgical instruments onto a TV screen. Laparoscopic surgery reduces the pain and complications after surgery since the incisions are so small.

For medical reasons, though, some patients may need an open surgery. If this is needed, the surgeon makes one large incision in the stomach to access the organs. The surgeon will explain each type of surgery and determine which type of weight loss surgery is best for you.