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Sleeve Gastrectomy, Gastric Bypass Surgery Voorhees

Those who are morbidly obese have a few weight loss options to choose from, should diet and exercise fail to yield the desired results. Two such options available at Echelon Bariatric to patients in the Voorhees and Cherry Hill areas of South Jersey—roux-en-y gastric bypass surgery and sleeve gastrectomy—are surgical procedures that help promote weight loss through changes to the digestive system. Since irreparable changes are made to the stomach and/or intestines in each procedure, both are considered permanent.

Laparoscopic Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery

Dr. Manigat performs roux-en-y gastric bypass surgery at his Voorhees office. Roux-en-y gastric bypass surgery is a form of bariatric surgery that combines the most effective portions of restrictive surgery with malabsorptive surgery. Dr. Manigat creates a small pouch at the top of the stomach with staples or a band; the pouch will receive and process food, making the patient feel fuller sooner. Next, he divides the top part of the intestine, reconnecting the stomach to a lower section of the intestine that absorbs fewer calories, creating the "Y" shape for which this surgery is named. As a result, less food is needed for a person to feel full, and fewer calories are absorbed during digestion.

Gastric bypass surgery is often performed using the laparoscopic technique, in which a camera is inserted through a small incision in the abdomen so that the surgery can be monitored on a television screen. Dr. Manigat uses special tools to staple a portion of the stomach and reattach it to a lower part of the intestine. Since laparoscopy is not as invasive as other techniques for this procedure, scarring is minimal.

What to Expect After Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery

As with any surgical procedure, there are rare but serious risks associated roux-en-y gastric bypass surgery. These risks include:

  • Nausea
  • Vitamin deficiencies that can lead to anemia
  • Stomach ulcers

Nevertheless, roux-en-y gastric bypass surgery is considered a generally safe and effective option for those with morbid obesity. The procedure helps patients lose a significant amount of weight—between 100 and 200 pounds in most cases. Most patients who successfully keep the weight off reduce their risk of high blood pressure, asthma, diabetes, sleep apnea, and degenerative diseases. Since roux-en-y gastric bypass surgery cannot be reversed, the procedure involves a life-long commitment to a healthy lifestyle and habits to ensure that any weight lost will not be regained.

Sleeve Gastrectomy

Performed at his South Jersey office, Dr. Manigat uses sleeve gastrectomy to help patients lose weight. Sleeve gastrectomy is a restrictive procedure designed to help the patient lose weight gradually. By reducing the size of the stomach by up to 85 percent—enough to hold an ounce of food or fluid—patients feel full much sooner, lessening the risk of overeating. The sleeve gastrectomy procedure is an ideal first obesity surgery for those with a body mass index (BMI) of 60 or above. The follow-up procedure for these patients involves rerouting the stomach to a lower part of the small intestine.

Since only the stomach is reduced in size, rather than a full rerouting of the stomach to a lower part of the small intestine, you have less of a risk of vitamin deficiencies than with the gastric bypass procedure. For this reason, it is an option for those with existing vitamin deficiencies such as anemia.

What to Expect After a Sleeve Gastrectomy

Unlike other weight loss surgeries in which the stomach is stapled or banded, sleeve gastrectomy involves the removal of a large portion of the stomach, making the surgery irreversible. The remaining portion of the stomach is banana-shaped and follows the line of the tube that connects the stomach to the esophagus at the top and the small intestine at the bottom.

The stomach is a flexible muscle, able to expand and accommodate whatever fills it. Though the sleeve gastrectomy greatly reduces the size of the stomach, without drastic changes to your lifestyle and eating habits, it is possible for the stomach to expand again, allowing you to eat more and gain some of the weight back. Those with the most successful long-term results eat several smaller meals a day and drink plenty of fluids, which help to induce a feeling of fullness.

Both sleeve gastrectomy and roux-en-y gastric bypass surgery are effective procedures to help those who are considered morbidly obese lose the weight necessary to lead full and healthy lives. Both procedures are permanent and can lead to long-term weight loss, if combined with a healthy diet and exercise. For severely obese patients living in South Jersey, sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass surgery are viable weight loss options. Take charge of your weight and schedule an appointment for a consultation with Dr. Manigat at Echelon Bariatrics today.