Bariatric surgery is an umbrella term for surgical weight-loss procedures that address obesity either by limiting
the amount of food the stomach can hold or reducing nutrient absorption, or both. While in the past it was done
primarily to lose significant weight in a relatively short period, the operation is now recommended as a treatment
in lowering one’s risk of developing serious weight-related conditions such as:
High blood pressure
Diabetes
Heart disease
Stroke
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Breathing problems such as asthma and sleep apnea
Osteoarthritis of the knees
Bariatric surgery in Singapore is mostly performed via keyhole surgery (laparoscopy) to facilitate quicker healing with
lower complications and without compromising on efficacy.
TYPES OF BARIATRIC SURGERY
Adjustable
Gastric Band (AGB)
Verticle Sleeve
Gastrectomy (VSG)
Roux-en-Y Gastric
Bypass (RYGB)
Biliopancreatic
Diversion (BPD)
Biliopancreatic Diversion
With a Duodenal Siwtch (BPD-DS)
Types of Bariatric Surgery
There are several types of bariatric surgery in Singapore, the most common ones being:
Gastric Balloon
A saline- or air-filled balloon is placed into the stomach through gastroscopy, in which a tube containing the balloon
is inserted into the stomach through the throat. The balloon is inflated to limit the amount of food that the stomach
can hold. Unlike other types of bariatric surgery, a gastric balloon is a temporary treatment, good for a maximum of
only six months.
Gastric Band
Similar to a gastric bypass, a gastric band involves creating a smaller stomach pouch to limit the food that the patient
consumes. The difference is that the latter is adjustable and reversible.
Here, an inflatable band is placed around the top of the stomach. Inflating the band tightens it and creates a smaller
stomach pouch that is connected to the rest of the stomach via a very tight channel. The tightness of the band is
adjusted using a port that is placed under the skin of the abdomen.
Sleeve Gastrectomy
Vertical sleeve gastrectomy in Singapore is a relatively new procedure in which a large portion of the stomach is cut
off (or stapled), resulting in a smaller, tube-shaped stomach that effectively restricts the amount of calories that the
body absorbs. Sleeve gastrectomy may permanently remove parts of the stomach, and is therefore irreversible.
Gastric Bypass
The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, known as a gastric bypass, is a non-reversible form of bariatric surgery
consisting of two major parts.
First, the surgeon cuts and separates the top portion of the stomach, creating a small pouch that can hold a very
limited amount of food. The surgeon then cuts the small intestine and sews it onto the new stomach pouch, thereby
bypassing the rest of the stomach (which is now surgically connected to the small intestine).
TYPES OF BARIATRIC SURGERY
Bariatric surgery isn’t just for anybody who wants to lose weight. As a relatively major medical procedure, there are
certain requirements that need to be met before bariatric surgery can be recommended:
The patient is classified as extremely obese (BMI of 37.5 or higher) or overweight by more than 100 pounds
The patient is classified as obese (BMI of 32.5) and diagnosed with an above mentioned weight-related medical
condition
The patient has difficulty losing weight despite diet and lifestyle modifications
A quick visit to the doctor is the best way to determine whether a patient can or should undergo weight loss surgery or not,
or if other treatment methods are more suitable.
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expertise, compassion, time and understanding.