What Kind of Weight Loss Surgery?

It all started by googling 'gastric band'.  Afer reading press stories on celebraties such as Fern Britton, it gave me hope that there was something 'out there' that could actually work.

I joined a few fat forums that i came across, and ill be honest, the wealth of information from these groups is invaluable!  Anyhoo, whilst browsing these forums i came to realise that there were actually other weight loss surgery options.

Gastric Band

The gastric band is placed around the top of the stomach.  In essence it acts like a funnel.  Your new smaller upper stomach pouch is about the size of a golf ball, with the larger part of the stomach sitting below the gastric band.  This means that the pouch above the gastric band can only store a small amount of food, which then passes through the gastric band into the lower part of the stomach.  The gastric band controls the flow rate of food from the upper to the lower part of the stomach.  The drier the texture of food, the slower it will pass through the passage created by the gastric band.  After the band is fitted, paitients are required to have incrimental fills of saline to expand their band (much like an inflatable rubber ring) which reduces the amount of food that passes through the pouch via a port which is attached to the muscle lining.  Paitients may also require de-fills if the band is too tight.  This option can require alot of aftercare. 

Weightloss is achieved by smaller portions being consumed, taking longer to digest,  and the paitient feeling fuller quicker.

Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (aka Gastric Sleeve)

Rather than creating a pouch with a band, the gastric sleeve actually resects or removes the majority of the stomach. The portion of the stomach which is removed is responsible for secreting Ghrelin, which is a hormone that is responsible for appetite and hunger. By removing this portion of the stomach rather than leaving it in-place, the level of Ghrelin may be reduced to near zero, actually causing loss of or a reduction in appetite. 

Weightloss is acheived by reduced stomach volume, and smaller portions being consumed.

Gastric Bypass (aka RNY)

The Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass involves the stapling of a small section at the top of the stomach to create a small pouch, similar in size to the one formed by the gastric band. The first section of the small intestine is then bypassed and the intestines re-attached to the new pouch, allowing the stomach contents to empty directly into it.  Paitients will require vitamins for life, and most will require regular B12 injections.

Weightloss is achieved by redcued stomach volume with less absorption (absorbing less calories and fewer nutrients).

I felt the gastric band was too faffy.  I didnt like the idea of having to have 'fills' and 'de-fills'.  Also the thought of a plastic port poking through my tummy didnt appeal.  I also later learnt that a band is not for life, they can errode and slip, which would require a further operation - frankly my purse could not deal with this!

I liked the idea of the sleeve.  One op and then im done for life - no faffing. 

I wasnt keen on the bypass as i was worried about the malabsorption aswell as the complication of the actual surgery.  Taking pills for the rest of my life didnt appeal either. 

My decision was made, i wanted a sleeve!