Weight Loss Surgery Options

Here are some common bariatric procedures we perform at St George Private Hospital.

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (Tube Gastrectomy)

A Sleeve Gastrectomy procedure involves removing the lateral 2/3rds of the stomach along the inner curve and leaving behind only a sleeve (much smaller than the natural stomach). This restricts the amount of food eaten before the sleeve distends, creating a feeling of fullness. This is the most rapidly growing bariatric procedure in Australia and offers long term results with minimal complications. The procedure is not reversible.

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding

An Adjustable gastric banding procedure, a hollow band made of special material is placed around the stomach near its upper end, creating a small pouch and a narrow passage into the larger remainder of the stomach. The band is then inflated with a salt solution. It can be tightened or loosened over time to change the size of the passage by increasing or decreasing the amount of salt solution.

Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass

In Gastric Bypass procedure, a small stomach pouch is created to restrict food intake. Next, a Y-shaped section of the small intestine is attached to the pouch to allow food to bypass the lower stomach, the duodenum (the first segment of the small intestine), and the first portion of the jejunum (the second segment of the small intestine). This bypass reduces the absorption of nutrients and thereby reduces the calorie intake.

Revision Surgery

For people who underwent obesity surgery in the 80s and 90s and who have not managed to achieve or maintain their weight-loss goals. It is also performed in patients who experienced previous complications from weight-loss surgery. Revision surgery converts one procedure to another procedure which may be more suitable for the patient. In 95 per cent of cases this can be done laparoscopically (keyhole surgery) or robotically. “Re-do” surgery is typically more complicated and involves more complications. For this reason cautious assessment and consultation is required for all patients considering this option.