Bariatric Surgery or Weight Loss Surgery includes a handful of different procedures aimed at combatting obesity by aiding dramatic weight loss. All involve reducing the capacity of the stomach to help decrease one’s appetite, making it impossible to consume more. Let’s take a look at three different types of surgery, one non-surgical alternative and where in the world you can pay just 6,500 EUR for these procedures.
Gastric Bypass Surgery
With a gastric bypass, the stomach is divided into two parts; a small upper pouch and a large lower ‘remnant’ pouch. The small intestine is rearranged to join both pouches separately – this altered state of the stomach leads to the sensation of feeling ‘full’ much quicker due to the tiny capacity of this upper pouch, therefore leading to rapid weight loss.
Gastric Sleeve
With the gastric sleeve, the stomach is reduced to about 15% of its original capacity by surgically removing a large portion it, resulting in a sleeve or tube-like structure. The sensation of feeling ‘full’ when eating occurs much quicker due to the tiny capacity of this new stomach, therefore leading to rapid weight loss. The procedure is irreversible.
Gastric Band Surgery
Also known as Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band, a Lap-Band, A Band, or LAGB. An inflatable silicone device is fitted around the top portion of the stomach to create a smaller stomach pouch, intended to decrease the amount of food consumed in one go. The sensation of feeling ‘full’ when eating occurs much quicker due to the upper pouch filling up so soon, then the food will slowly move into the larger lower section. Considered the least invasive of the Bariatric Surgeries as it can be performed and reversed via key-hole surgery.
Gastric Balloon Treatment
An alternative to Bariatric Surgery, also known as a Stomach Balloon. With a Gastric Balloon, an inflatable device is temporarily inserted into the stomach and considered non-surgical as it’s inserted by endoscopic placement. The purpose of the balloon is to obstruct a sizable area of the stomach, thus reducing the amount of food it can contain at any one time. The sensation of feeling ‘full’ when eating occurs much quicker due to the reduced capacity of the stomach. After the desired weight loss has occurred, usually 6-12 months, the device is removed using endoscopy again.
Some of the best surgeons specializing in Bariatric Surgeries can be found in Poland, where the prices (~6,500 EUR) are considerably lower than what you’d expect to pay in other parts of Europe and North America – click for more information on Gastric Bypass surgery procedures in Poland