Obesity related issues are never out of the news these days. From crash diets to rigorous hours in the gym, it seems that most people are on a quest to shed some weight. Weight goes up, then comes down, then on it goes again with an extra few pounds and so it goes on and on.
“What shall I try this week?”. “There’s a new pill that burns fat”, and “another one that eliminates carbs”. “Perhaps I’ll try a detox diet”. “I could go to Weight Watchers again, but I’ve done that three times already”. “Somebody said that Atkins is the best diet”. “Maybe I’ll try healthy eating and counting calories this time. I should be able to survive for at least two weeks”. “I lost weight before my holiday but I can’t seem to get back into it now”. “I want to lose weight fast so I think I’ll do a meal replacement plan. That way I won’t have to eat anything”. “I won’t start my diet until I’ve been out for dinner next week and there’s a party two days later, so I’ll start after that”. “It’s the end of the week now so I’ll start my diet on Monday”.
Sound familiar? Once you are on the yo-yo diet treadmill it is extremely difficult to step off. Few people will be successful. This is the reason that people are choosing to take a little extra help in the form of a bariatric procedure. The majority of people who undergo such treatment will be successful in losing their weight and will be able to keep it off in the long term.
What are your choices?
The Gastric Balloon
There are two Gastric Balloons, one that stays in place for 6 months and one that stays in place for twelve months. The balloons are called Orbera and Spatz. If your BMI is over 27 you are suitable for the Spatz balloon and if your BMI is over 30 you are suitable for the Orbera. In a non surgical procedure that takes less than 15 minutes, the deflated Gastric Balloon is placed in the stomach via the mouth. It is then filled with a saline solution until it occupies around 70% of the stomach’s capacity. With the Gastric Balloon occupying this much space in the stomach, you feel full after eating only a small portion of food and you can’t overeat. The result – significant weight loss.
Gastric Band (lap band)
The Gastric Band is placed around the stomach via keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery. This will assist in restricting the volume of food that is eaten during a meal and lessens hunger between meals. It is fully adjustable so can be loosened or tightened when required during a ten minute out patient visit. Gastric Band is a popular choice of treatment.
POSE (Primary Obesity Surgery Endolumenal)
POSE is the new kid on the block – and what a breakthrough it is proving to be. POSE is incisionless surgery. Treatment is performed under general anaesthesia and involves passing a tube through the mouth and into the stomach. The POSE tube carries the instruments that will fold, pleat and anchor the fundus area of the stomach. The result – POSE patients end up with a stomach that is 15% smaller, they can no longer overeat and they don’t often feel hungry. There is no cutting, so no scars and most patients return to work immediately. Weight loss for POSE patients is equivalent to weight loss for Gastric Band patients.
EndoBarrier
EndoBarrier is a treatment for type 2 diabetes and obesity. EndoBarrier is a gastrointestinal sleeve that lines the first 12″ of the intestine to stop food from being absorbed. Results with EndoBarrier have been outstanding, with patients losing weight and drastically improving their HbA1c levels. Reduction in diabetes medication is usual. EndoBarrier is a non surgical treatment performed under a general anaesthetic. Patients are allowed home the same day.
More information can be obtained by calling the National Obesity Surgery Centre on 0345 618 7276.
