Bariatric Surgery

Obesity is growing to epidemic proportions in the U.S. and industrialized nations around the world. Obesity and obesity related diseases have become the second leading cause of death in the U.S... In the U.S. alone there are over 65 million Americans with BMI’s (Body Mass Index) over 30, and of these there are 15 million Americans with BMI’s over 40, otherwise known as morbidly obese, or 100 pounds over target body weight. Obesity can be responsible for severe health complications or co-morbidities. These can include Type II diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart disease, infertility, arthritis in weight bearing joints, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and some forms of cancer. Many individuals suffering from obesity have tried dieting, drug therapies, exercise, and psychotherapy, and are still unsuccessful in losing weight. In some patients Bariatric surgery may be the only alternative.

Bariatric surgery was originally pioneered by Drs. Mason and Ito in the 1960’s. Over the years there have been multiple variations to the original surgical approaches pioneered by Dr. Mason. Today gastric bypass with roux-en-y is the most commonly performed weight loss procedure and is approximately 65% effective in losing target weight. Early procedures were performed through large mid-line open incisions and were considered painful with slow recovery periods of up to two months following surgery. In 1995, Drs. Whitgrove and Clarke performed the first laparoscopic gastric bypass with roux-en-y procedures which radically decreased post operative pain and allowed for quicker convalescence and return to normal activity. Today approximately 200,000 people per year undergo this procedure in the U.S. In some cases surgery may be the only option for losing life threatening weight.

While considered highly effective, gastric bypass with roux-en-y involves resecting a large portion of the stomach and re-routing the digestive tract to aid in weight loss. In 2001 the lap band was introduced in the U.S. which offered a simpler less invasive procedure that is considered fully reversible. The lap band, in the simplest terms is a band that is surgically placed around the top of the stomach and tightened to create a small pouch which limits the patient’s food intake resulting in weight loss. The lap band has grown in popularity in recent years and is now the leading surgical treatment for obesity. Patients considering Bariatric surgery should consult a surgeon that offers both procedures to understand what surgical solution best meets their needs.

With the advent of NOTES, or Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (performing surgical procedures through natural orifices such as the mouth), thought leading surgeons are pioneering new endoluminal procedures which require no skin incisions. This approach was originally conceived in 2005 by Drs. Chung and Kantsevoy of the Apollo Group. They published their experiences in placing an internal lap band which mimicked the lap band and resulted in acceptable weight loss. Others have explored endolumenal gastric partitioning, intragastric balloons and more sophisticated technologies such as placement of pacing or blocking devices which regulate vagus nerve function. Ultimately, experts believe in the near future patients will have outpatient endoluminal less invasive options to consider, which will provide acceptable weight loss in many patients while reducing the risks of surgery and decreasing recovery time following Bariatric procedures.


Firoj Khan is an online author and publisher who extensively writes for quality website like http://www.apolloendo.com . Apolloendo deals with the surgical issues like Transgastric surgery and Laparoscopic surgery. For more informations please visit Apolloendo Endosurgery

By: Shelly Cruz