Baylor Dallas News

More and more, people who are overweight or obese are turning to surgery to help them drop their excess pounds and improve their health. There are three different operations people can choose from, with guidance from their surgeons, for weight loss. All three options also include the typical risks of surgery and anesthesia.

Here we help you sort out the options.

Gastric Bypass

How it works: Your stomach is stapled to make a small pouch. This pouch is attached to the small intestine in such a way that fewer calories are absorbed.

Expected weight loss: Patients can expect to lose 70 percent to 80 percent of excess weight after one year, although results may vary.

You should know: Because part of the small intestine is bypassed, some nutrients aren’t absorbed well. You will likely need lifetime vitamin supplements.

Risks: Leaks or separation at the 10 to 25 staple sites, which happens in about one of 200 people.

Sleeve Gastrectomy

How it works: Like a bypass, your stomach is stapled to make a small pouch, or sleeve. But the natural connection between the stomach and the small intestine stays in place.

Expected weight loss: Although results vary, patients can typically expect to lose 40 percent to 60 percent of excess weight after one year.

You should know: Sleeve gastrectomy is the first step of gastric bypass. So if you don’t see the results you expected your doctor may operate again, converting to the full gastric bypass.

Risks: Leaks or separation at the five staple sites; but because fewer staples are used, the risks are lower than with bypass.

Gastric Band

How it works: A band tightened around the stomach helps you feel full sooner, cutting down on the amount you eat. 

Expected weight loss: All patients experience different degrees of success with the surgery, but patients typically lose 30 percent to 40 percent of excess weight after one year; 60 percent to 65 percent of excess weight after three to five years.

You should know: You will need to follow up with your doctor after surgery to have the band tightened or loosened. He or she will inject or withdraw saline to adjust the band.

Risks: Band slippage or erosion.

To learn more about surgical solutions for weight loss at Baylor Dallas or to register for a free weight loss surgery seminar, click here.