Types of weight loss surgeries done abroad

Weight loss surgeries are proved to be remarkably effective in a significant and healthy weight loss. Nowadays, there are a few types of weight loss surgeries that have an extremely high success rate in losing weight. Thus, the most common question asked by the patients thinking about a bariatric surgery is “How can I know which weight loss surgery would be the most effective in my case?”. There is a common view that the surgeries are the most effectual when:

• the surgery is performed by a skilled and experienced professionals
• the surgery is performed in a clinic offering the aftercare program, help of dietician, psychologist, and trainers
• the patient is willing to cooperate with the surgeon.

Regardless of the type of weight loss surgery, the most important factor influencing the effectiveness of the procedure is readiness for introducing life-time changes. The surgery is just the 1st step in the long process of losing excess weight. Of course, the surgeries are different in some aspects, some of which are presented below.

 Most popular types of gastric surgery done abroad

At present, there are a couple of weight loss surgery types available on the market and choosing the right procedure is of significant importance. In fact, there are 3 surgeries that are the most common, they are a gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and gastric band. Each of them has advantages and disadvantages. And in each case, the key factor in losing weight is sticking to the diet and exercising – the sole surgery does not change anything, it just makes losing weight much easier and faster, but it is up to the patients they will lose weight. Below, you will find information about the most common weight loss surgeries mentioned above.

Adjustable gastric band

The gastric banding is an invasive bariatric surgery. The surgeon squeezes the stomach into 2 parts with the use of an inflatable band. One section is a small pouch, and the second is a bigger lower section. These parts are firmly joined by a tiny channel, the main function of which is holding up the emptying of the upper section. Most patients are able to eat between ½ to 1 cup of soft food.

Advantages:

• surgery is simple to perform (compared to e.g. gastric bypass)
• only a small incision is made (meaning that there is a tiny scar after the procedure)
• the recovery time is fast
• the surgery is reversible
• the doctor can adjust the band in the office – both tighten (by injecting the saline solution to a band, which limits the size of the stomach) and loosen (by
• removing the liquid from a band with the use of a needle).

Disadvantages:

• the weight loss is slower than in other types of bariatric surgeries
• there is a probability of re-gaining weight after a few years.

Risks:

• the common side effect is vomiting especially after overeating
• there might be problems with the band, e.g. it can slip out of place, leak or become too lose
• some infections or postoperative complications can appear, but it is normal for any surgery. Yet, they are not life-threatening for the most part.

Gastric sleeve

Another type of weight loss surgery is sleeve gastrectomy. During the procedure, the doctor removes even 75% of the stomach. The remaining section has a shape of a narrow tube (or sleeve), which fastens the intestines together. It is the most popular surgery, giving relatively fast and noticeable effects. It is the 1st choice for many patients and surgeons and usually, no other revision surgeries are needed after sleeve gastrectomy.

Advantages:

• sleeve gastrectomy is the best solution for patients with obesity (including morbid obesity)
• the intestines are not affected, so the surgery has no influence on the way that body absorbs food and usually, there is no lack of nutrients
• it is effective when other weight loss procedures fail or are too dangerous for the patient health
• the surgery is not complicated
• there is a low risk of postoperative infections in comparison to other popular surgeries such as gastric bypass
• there is a possibility of having another weight loss surgery, e.g. gastric bypass (even 12-18 months after gastric sleeve).

Disadvantages:

• the procedure cannot be reversed
• it is a relatively new surgery, so there are no sufficient studies proving the long-term risks as well as advantages
• the body can still tolerate food rich in carbs and fat, which can slow the weight loss
• 20% of gastric sleeve patients experience GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease) in the 1st year after the procedure.

Risks:

• infections
• blood clots
• leaking of the sleeve
• scarring inside the stomach
• gastritis.

Gastric bypass

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass surgery is a combination of malabsorptive and restrictive approaches. During the procedure, the surgeon makes 2 pouches from a stomach and closes the upper one from the lower one. After that, the upper stomach is combined with the small intestine. The shortcut is made for the food that bypasses the part of the stomach and small intestine. Therefore, the ability to absorb the calories by the body is much lower.

Advantages:

• the loss of weight after the surgery may be very fast with even 50% of excess weight lost during the first 6 months after surgery
• the health condition (especially high blood pressure, sleep apnea, heartburn, diabetes, arthritis) improves quickly due to a dramatic weight loss; it is proved
• that even 95% health problems related to obesity is reversed or totally resolved after the gastric bypass procedure
• the cardiovascular health is improved as gastric bypass decreases the risk of stroke, coronary heart disease or peripheral heart disease
• the obstructive sleep apnea is eliminated
• the positive long-term results are proven by numerous studies.

Disadvantages:

• the body will not be able to absorb the amounts of food that you ate before the surgery
• there is a risk that your body will not receive enough nutrients (e.g. not enough iron or calcium in a diet can result in anemia or osteoporosis)
• you would need to take supplements for the rest of your life
• the common problem is a dumping syndrome (where the food moves too fast to intestines and is not thoroughly digested yet); it occurs in 85% of patients and
• its most common symptoms are bloating, nausea, sweating, pain, diarrhea, weakness
• in general, it is non-reversible surgery (however there were a few instances of revision surgery after gastric bypass).

Risks:

• blood clots
• hernias (which has to be treated afterward)
• patients may get gallstones because of a fast weight loss
• arrhythmias
• a heart attack is possible when blood clots break loose soon after the procedure
• there is a possibility of memory loss or problems with clear thinking, but it usually improves after 6-12 months.

If you are struggling with losing weight for years and still you are overweight or obese, you need to definitely consider a cheap weight loss surgery in Poland. We can advise you which gastric surgery abroad would be the most effective and safe for you. We cooperate with only the best clinics and experienced surgeons, so we can guarantee that your weight loss surgery abroad and stay in Poland will be comfortable, safe, high-quality and at the same time cheap. Our professionals will recommend the most effective bariatric surgery to you so that you can achieve the best possible results. Do not hesitate to contact Beauty Poland to check our offer – you will find our excellent service to your cost!