Weight Loss Surgery

What is Obesity Surgery? 

Obesity surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, is a type of surgical procedure performed on individuals who are severely overweight or obese. These surgeries are designed to help people lose weight by reducing the size of the stomach, limiting the absorption of nutrients, or both. The primary goal of obesity surgery is to promote weight loss, improve or resolve obesity-related health issues, and enhance overall quality of life.


Benefits of Obesity Surgery

  • Significant Weight Loss: Obesity surgery can result in substantial weight loss, which can improve overall health and reduce the risk of obesity-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and sleep apnea.
  • Resolution or Improvement of Obesity-Related Health Issues: Many individuals who undergo obesity surgery experience improvements in conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and sleep apnea. In some cases, these conditions may even go into remission.
  • Enhanced Quality of Life: Weight loss often leads to increased mobility, reduced joint pain, improved energy levels, and better overall well-being, significantly enhancing a person's quality of life.
  • Long-Term Weight Maintenance: Some obesity surgery procedures have a higher success rate for long-term weight maintenance than non-surgical weight loss methods.
  • Reduced Risk of Mortality: Obesity surgery has been associated with a reduced risk of premature death, particularly in individuals with severe obesity and obesity-related health problems.
  • Psychological Benefits: Many people experience improved self-esteem and reduced depression and anxiety symptoms following successful weight loss.
  • Improved Fertility: Obesity surgery can improve fertility in obese individuals, making it easier for some to conceive.


Is Surgery Right For Me?

Not everyone who is overweight or obese is suitable for obesity surgery. Candidates for these surgeries typically meet specific criteria, which may include:

  • Body Mass Index (BMI): Obesity surgery is generally considered for individuals with a BMI of 40 or higher (severe obesity) or a BMI of 35 or higher with obesity-related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, or heart disease.
  • Failed Weight Loss Attempts: Candidates may need to demonstrate that they have attempted and failed to lose weight through non-surgical methods like diet and exercise.
  • Medical Evaluation: Candidates typically undergo a thorough medical evaluation to assess their overall health and determine if they are physically and psychologically prepared for surgery.
  • Commitment to Lifestyle Changes: Candidates are expected to commit to significant lifestyle changes, including dietary modifications and regular exercise, both before and after surgery.
  • Psychological Assessment: Some individuals may undergo psychological evaluation to ensure they have realistic expectations and can cope with the emotional aspects of weight loss and lifestyle changes.


Types of Obesity Surgery

There are several types of obesity surgery, but some of the most common procedures include:

  • Gastric Bypass Surgery (Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass): This surgery involves creating a small pouch at the top of the stomach and connecting it directly to the small intestine. It restricts the amount of food a person can eat and reduces nutrient absorption.
  • Sleeve Gastrectomy: In this procedure, a portion of the stomach is removed, leaving behind a smaller, banana-shaped stomach. This reduces the amount of food that can be consumed and can also affect hunger-regulating hormones.
  • Adjustable Gastric Banding (Lap-Band): A band is placed around the upper part of the stomach, creating a small pouch. The band can be tightened or loosened as needed to control food intake.
  • Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS): This complex procedure involves restricting the stomach size and rerouting a significant portion of the small intestine. It limits calorie absorption and food intake.


Losing Weight After Surgery

Surgery can be a valuable tool in your weight loss journey, but it's just one piece of the puzzle. Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight also involves adopting a nutritious diet and embracing physical activity.


Our clinic views obesity surgery as a supportive tool to facilitate these lifestyle changes. While surgery is part of the process, our primary focus is helping our patients shed excess weight, enhance their overall health, and regain their quality of life.


Why Does Obesity Surgery Matter?

Obesity surgery isn't merely about the procedure but the transformation it can enable. Successful obesity surgery can lead to remarkable improvements:

  • Enhanced overall appearance
  • Increased energy levels
  • Expanded capacity for physical activities
  • Resolution of comorbid conditions


How Much Will You Lose?

Our goal is to guide patients in achieving substantial weight loss, typically ranging from 60% to 100% of their excess weight, which is above a BMI of 25.

The specific target weight depends on various factors, including:

  • Body type
  • Body composition
  • Gender
  • Age


Furthermore, your success in reaching your goal weight post-surgery hinges on your commitment to:

  • Adopting healthier dietary habits
  • Embracing a more active lifestyle
  • Sustaining consistent physical activity levels


We set a minimum goal of 60% excess weight loss because it often significantly improves weight-related comorbidities.


Weight Loss Timeline

The timeline for reaching your goal weight varies based on the type of obesity surgery:

  • Sleeve Gastrectomy: Most patients reach their goal weight within 12 months.
  • Gastric Bypass: Most patients reach their goal weight within 18 months.
  • Gastric Band: Most patients reach their goal weight within 24 months.


This typically translates to a gradual and healthy weight loss of approximately 0.5kg to 2kg per week, depending on your initial weight.


Rate of Weight Loss

Generally, the pace of weight loss is relatively consistent in the initial months after bypass and sleeve surgeries, with patients typically losing around 1-2kg per week. Most individuals achieve their goal weight within 9-12 months.


Achieving a healthier weight is a journey, and we are here to support you every step of the way.


How Does Obesity Surgery Work?

Obesity surgery works through various mechanisms, depending on the type of procedure. Here are some common ways in which these surgeries achieve weight loss:

  • Restriction: Procedures like sleeve gastrectomy and adjustable gastric banding create a smaller stomach pouch, limiting the amount of food you can eat in one sitting. This restriction reduces calorie intake.
  • Malabsorption: Gastric bypass and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch surgeries reduce stomach size and reroute the digestive tract, limiting nutrient absorption from the food you eat.
  • Hormonal Changes: Some surgeries, like sleeve gastrectomy, can lead to changes in hunger-regulating hormones, reducing appetite and promoting a sense of fullness after smaller meals.


In addition to weight loss, these surgeries can improve or resolve obesity-related health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, by addressing the underlying factors contributing to these conditions.


The success of obesity surgery also depends on long-term commitment to dietary and lifestyle changes, including eating smaller, nutrient-dense meals, regular exercise, and ongoing medical monitoring.


Obesity Surgery Prognosis 

Obesity surgery can lead to significant weight loss and improve obesity-related health conditions. Many people experience substantial reductions in body weight and resolution or improvement of issues such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and joint pain. However, the extent of weight loss and health improvements can vary from person to person.


The long-term success of obesity surgery depends on the individual's commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Surgery alone is not a magic solution, and patients must make permanent dietary and exercise changes to maintain their weight loss and health improvements.


Delaying Obesity Surgery

Delaying obesity surgery may have several implications:

  • Health Risks: Delaying surgery can lead to the continued presence or worsening of obesity-related health conditions, which may increase the risks associated with surgery.
  • Psychological Impact: Living with severe obesity for an extended period can have a psychological toll on individuals, affecting their self-esteem, mental health, and overall quality of life.
  • Progressive Weight Gain: Without effective weight loss intervention, individuals may continue to gain weight over time, making it more challenging to achieve and maintain a healthy weight later.
  • Surgical Outcomes: In some cases, delaying surgery may affect the success of certain bariatric procedures. For example, some surgeries are more effective when performed at an earlier stage of obesity.



The decision to undergo obesity surgery and the timing of the procedure should be made in consultation with a bariatric surgeon. They can assess your circumstances, health status, and goals to determine the most appropriate action. In some cases, addressing any underlying health issues or making lifestyle changes before surgery may be recommended to optimise the outcome.

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