Obesity Surgery and Non-Surgical Weight Loss

Non-Surgical Gastric Balloon

- For patients with a BMI under 35

- No hospital stay (usually discharged within an hour)

- Takes 10 minutes

- Local Anaesthetic (Sedation / Throat Spray)

- Non-surgical procedure ( the balloon is placed and removed through mouth)

- Removed after 6 months

- Easily reversed by simple puncture and removal of balloon.

- Suitable for those patients who have less of a weight problem. They may want fast weight loss and understand that sensible calorie controlled eating is required afterwards.

Summary of gastric balloon.

Gastric balloon is a non-surgical weight loss solution for patients who struggle with other weight loss methods. Up to 30% of the UK population might qualify for a stomach balloon.  The average patients loses 5 stone in 6 months using the gastric balloon combined with a change in lifestyle.

The very quick and simple procedure involves the gastric balloon being placed in the stomach though the mouth with the help of an endoscopic camera. Their should be very little pain and only minor discomfort while the balloon is fitted which will only take 10 minutes.

How does the gastric balloon work?

The deflated gastric balloon is attached to a soft tube and is passed through your mouth, down your gullet into your stomach in a simple procedure called endoscopy that takes 10-20 minutes.

You do not need to stay in hospital overnight and can go home an hour after the gastric balloon is fitted. You will also be required to attend a number of post operative consultations that will include counseling to ensure that you have adapted your eating habits and are maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Gastric Band Surgery

- For patients with a BMI over 35

- One night stay in hospital usually required

- The procedure takes about 1 hour

- General Anaesthetic is needed for this procedure

- Laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery is used to fit the gastric band.

- Can remain in place indefinitely

- Relatively simple to reverse by further laparoscopic keyhole surgery.

- Suitable for those patients with a more severe weight problem. They understand that they need to seek help to find a long term solution to their weight problem to ensure the weight stays off.

Summary of gastric band surgery.

Gastric band surgery is not designed as a quick solution and requires a comprehensive program that includes the support and services of other healthcare professionals such as dieticians and psychologists over the long-term.

The surgery involves placing an adjustable gastric band (sometimes called a lap band) round the upper part of the stomach, which restricts how much food the patient can eat before feeling full. The gastric band is usually inserted using laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery. The gastric band can then be adjusted to suit the patient's weight loss or removed altogether if needed.

What's involved with weight loss surgery?

The aim of obesity surgery is to ensure the patient is able to achieve their weight loss goals and at the same time adjust to the lifestyle changes that will be needed following insertion of the gastric band.

You will usually stay in hospital for one night following the operation. You will also be required to attend a number of post operative consultations that will include counseling to ensure you are adapting to the lifestyle changes.