1. GASTRIC SLEEVE SURGERY

Sleeve surgery is also known as sleeve gastrectomy. It is a preferred surgery among over-weight people who wish reduce weight easily.  It involves a restrictive operation wherein the stomach is made smaller with the intent to make people lose weight. When the stomach becomes smaller, you will feel full a lot quicker, thereby reducing your intake of food.

The surgery involves removal of more than half of your stomach using a laparoscope. The surgery involves reducing your stomach to the size of a sleeve. Hence, the term sleeve surgery. As the removal is permanent, the surgery is non-reversible and is considered as a lifelong method of weight reduction and control.

The surgery requires you to be admitted in the hospital. If your surgeon / hospital is having latest fast track programmed, then you might be in hospital only for one night   It takes around 1-2 weeks for the person to recover after the surgery & may join work faster.

2. GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY

As the name suggests, the stomach is divided into two parts – small and large. And a bypass is created from the smaller part of the stomach into the small intestine. The stomach is divided into two parts using a process called ‘stomach stapling.’ As the stomach size reduces, people fill full quicker. Hence this part of the procedure is also termed as ‘restrictive’ procedure as it restricts the food intake.

The second part of the surgery involves creating a bypass from the smaller part of the stomach into the part of the small intestine called the jejunum. This way, the food passes directly into the jejunum, avoiding the larger part of the stomach and duodenum (about 150 CMS –rest is like before), thereby restricting the calorie and nutrient absorption. This method is called as ‘malabsorptive’ as lesser number of nutrients are absorbed.

The surgery is done using laparoscope and involves hospitalization for 1 to 2 days (fast track programmed). 1-2 % of people may develop complications such as wound infections, digestive problems, ulcers, and bleeding. It takes around 1 to 2 weeks for a person to resume his daily routine after recovery.

3. DUODENAL SWITCH

This is a weight loss surgery that combines the restrictive and malabsorptive part together to shed those extra flabs of fat. The restrictive part of the surgery involves part removal of stomach and bypassing longer length of small intestine. This way, the stomach becomes smaller, thereby making you full faster & the malabsorptive part of the surgery involves re-routing the lengthy part of the small intestine. This way, two separate pathways are created with one common channel. The shorter pathway, also known as the digestive loop, takes food from the stomach into the common channel, while the longer loop will carry bile to the common channel. This is more malabsorbptive then bypass surgery.

The aim of the surgery is to reduce the amount of time the body takes to capture calories from food. The surgery is also termed as selective fat absorption surgery; post the surgery, the fat intake is dropped to 20%.

This is a permanent weight loss surgery, recommended for individuals whose BMI is above 40. After the surgery, diet and lifestyle changes are a must.

4. LAP-BAND SURGERY

Lap Band surgery is also known as gastric banding or Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAGB). It is a surgical procedure that involves placement of adjustable belt around the upper portion of the stomach. This is done using by laparoscope technique. The band is made from health-grade silicone, and can be tightened using saline. It is connected to a port under the skin of abdomen, through which saline can be introduced or removed from the band to make it tight or loose.

LABG is a restrictive surgery that restricts the intake of food, and slows its passage into the small intestine. LABG involves shorter hospitalization period and quicker recovery as compared to other gastric bypass procedures. It takes around 1-2 weeks to resume the normal activities. The surgery helps to lose 30% to 60% of the extra weight, and reduces several problems such as diabetes-2, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

5. GASTRIC BALLOON PROCEDURE (NON-SURGICAL WAY TO LOSE WEIGHT)

This is non-invasive surgical procedure in which a silicon balloon is placed in the stomach. Once the silicon balloon is placed in the stomach by an endoscope; it is inflated, thereby occupying the empty space in the stomach. As the empty size of the stomach reduces, the stomach becomes fuller faster. This restricts the food intake and thereby reduces the weight in the long run.

The procedure can be done within 15 minutes, and is available at Dr Girish Juneja’s weight loss clinics in Dubai. There is no need for hospitalization. It is performed using an endoscope It helps to lose around 10- 15 kgs(depending upon extra weight) of weight in a span of 6 months.

However, after a period of 6 months, the balloon needs to be removed. As this involves a restrictive approach, you will feel full quicker after food intake. Diet and lifestyle changes are recommended after the procedure.

New kind of balloon called PILL balloon(OBALON) is introduced which can be placed by swallowing without use of anesthesia or endoscope.