If you are like 59% of European adults, you are overweight or living with the complex disease of obesity1, diet, exercise and medications can help some people lose weight. But they don't work well for everyone. Bariatric surgery can be a valid option for people fighting excess weight. This article looks at the different types of weight loss surgery.2

Bariatric surgery is just a fancy name for weight loss surgery. Although there are different types of bariatric surgeries, they all have one thing in common: they help people with a high body mass index (BMI) achieve significant and lasting weight loss.3

Bariatric surgery works by altering the digestive system. Some surgical procedures reduce how much food you are physically capable of eating. Others limit your body’s ability to absorb nutrients effectively. And some procedures do both.4

The most common types of bariatric surgery are:
 
  • Gastric bypass surgery (also called the Roux-en-Y procedure, stomach bypass surgery, or bariatric bypass surgery)
  • Gastric bypass omega loop (also called amini-gastric bypass or single-anastomosis gastric bypass)
  • Gastric sleeve surgery (also called sleeve gastrectomy, partial gastrectomy, or vertical gastric sleeve)
  • Gastric band surgery (also called LAP-band)
  • Duodenal switch surgery (also called BPD/DS)

Bariatric Surgery

Gastric bypass surgery

Because food bypasses most of the stomach and part of the small intestine – which means you absorb fewer calories. Most people lose 60-80% of excess weight within the first 12-18 months.5 Surgeons often recommend this procedure for people with type 2 diabetes.6 Usually, gastric bypass surgery cannot be reversed.5

Gastric sleeve surgery

If you don’t follow post-operative guidelines carefully, the ‘sleeve’ can stretch and become larger.7

Gastric bypass omega loop

Food bypasses most of the stomach and part of the small intestine – which means you absorb fewer calories.6

Duodenal switch surgery

Duodenal switch surgery also dramatically improves metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes.9

As always, talk to a bariatric surgery specialist for details about what is best for you and what results you can expect.

Gastric band surgery

Unlike most other procedures, gastric band surgery is reversible. It is the least invasive weight loss surgery.8

As you lose weight, the band needs to be adjusted to keep working. This is done by adding a saline solution through a small access port. The surgeon places the port just under the skin during the initial surgical procedure.9

What’s next for you?

First, of course, you need to think it over yourself. And if you’re potentially interested, you'll need careful evaluation by healthcare professionals to determine whether surgery is right for you.

In the meantime, you might want to read this article:

Curious about whether you might qualify for bariatric surgery? 

Find out here
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