Treatment Options

Surgical Options

Since 1996, the rates of bariatric surgery have increased markedly among adults. This trend may reflect the limitations of behavioural and medical preventive interventions.

The goals of obesity surgery are to improve health and quality of life, as well as to increase lifespan. A meta-analysis study in 2005 found that surgery is more effective than non-surgical treatment for weight loss and control of comorbid conditions in patients with a BMI of 40 kg/m2 or greater.¹

There are traditionally two types of bariatric surgery: restrictive and malabsorptive. Some procedures are a combination of both. Each operative procedure has risks, side effects and/or complications. Most operations can now be done laparoscopically rather than using an open surgical approach.²

Restrictive surgery uses bands or staples to restrict food intake and promote a feeling of fullness (satiety) after eating.  These procedures include:

• Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band (LAGB) procedure – commonly referred to as “Gastric Band” procedure
• Sleeve Gastrectomy

Malabsorptive procedures, such as bilopancreatic diversion (BPD) and duodenal switch (DS), shorten the digestive tract and reduce the absorption of calories along with proteins and other nutrients.

The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is a combined procedure that shortens the digestive tract causing some malabsorption as well as some restriction in how much food the stomach can hold.