Laparoscopic Weight Loss / Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery, also known as weight loss surgery, is currently the only proven, long-term, effective tool to manage obesity. When diet and exercise have failed, as they often can, obese patients may consider bariatric surgery to not only lose weight, but also to improve or resolve many of the diseases associated with morbid obesity. Indeed, the primary purpose of bariatric surgery is to improve diseases such as type-2 diabetes, sleep apnea, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, with a great resulting  “side-effect” being weight loss.

All of our procedures are performed in a laparoscopic or minimally invasive manner, unless the patient is not a suitable candidate due to a medical condition or previous abdominal surgery in the area.

Bariatric / Metabolic Surgery Options

Mr. Ahmed performs four major, proven bariatric surgeries:

• Gastric sleeve: Currently the most popular bariatric procedure in the UK, the gastric sleeve is a straightforward procedure that removes 70% of the stomach. Patients may lose up to 25-30% of their body weight and do not require any alteration to the small intestine, nor a medical device implanted in the abdomen. Mr. Ahmed now is able to provide this surgery  using micro laparoscopic techniques making the operation nearly scarless.
• Gastric Bypass: The most complex and effective of our bariatric procedures, the gastric bypass cuts away (but does not remove) about 80% of the existing stomach leaving behind a small stomach pouch and bypasses a portion of the small intestine. This combination allows patients to lose up to 25-35% of their body weight. Gastric bypass is particularly beneficial for those suffering from type-2 diabetes and GORD (acid reflux / heartburn). Mr. Ahmed now is able to provide this surgery using micro laparoscopic techniques making the operation nearly scarless.
• Gastric Banding: The least invasive of the procedures we offer, the gastric band is placed around the top of the stomach and tightened to form two, interconnected gastric pouches. The resultant restriction allows patients to lose up to 20-25% of their body weight without any permanent revision to their stomach and GI tract. The band is also adjustable and removable.
• Mini Gastric Bypass (MGB): Also known as Single Anastamosis or Omega Loop gastric bypass. The mini gastric bypass works both by restricting the amount of food that can be eaten at any one time, and by causing malabsorption and also by altering gut hormones involved in appetite control.

In addition to the above, Mr Ahmed receives many referrals from all over the World and is world renowned for treating complications from bariatric surgery including failed or failing procedures, treating weight regain and performing revisional bariatric surgery.

Restriction and Malabsorption

Bariatric surgery procedures were traditionally classified as restrictive (gastric band and gastric sleeve) or combination restrictive and malabsorptive (gastric bypass and mini gastric bypass).

Restriction involves physically reducing the size of the usable stomach. Malabsorption involves reduced caloric absorption by bypassing a portion of the small intestine to lessen surface area. However it is now known that whilst the mini gastric bypass does cause some malabsorption, the standard gastric bypass does not result in any significant malabsorption.

In fact, there is increasing evidence demonstrating that the weight loss seen following gastric bypass, mini gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy is caused by changes in gut hormones, changes in bile acid metabolism, changes in gut bacteria, and also improved metabolism.

Thus the new term of ‘metaboilc’ surgery is now used to classify these procedures.

Risks and Considerations

Every surgical procedure comes with inherent risk. Further, each of the procedures above comes with their own specific risks and considerations that will be discussed with Mr. Ahmed during consultation.

It is important to note, however, that modern bariatric surgery is considered extremely safe, with a mortality rate lower than, or equal to, that of many common surgical procedures, including gallbladder removal. The decision to undergo bariatric surgery is based on comparing the risks of surgery versus doing nothing about one’s obesity.

Next Steps

To learn more about bariatric surgery, what procedure is right for you and whether you qualify, we ask that you schedule an appointment with Mr Ahmed.