The three types of Bariatric Surgery

Restrictive procedures

Vertical-banded gastroplasty and adjustable gastric banding

In restrictive surgery, the size of the stomach is dramatically reduced. This type of surgery makes a person very full, very fast. Overeating results in a very unpleasant feeling and often vomiting. After a restrictive procedure, weight loss is the result of not being able to consume calories. 

 

Malabsorptive procedures with some restriction 

Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch

In malabsorptive surgery, a large portion of the small intestine is bypassed, making food you eat pass through only a part of the small intestine. Weight loss following this type of procedure is the result of an inability to absorbed calories. This is because food does not come in contact with the bypassed portion of the small intestine. Although malabsorptive surgery can result in tremendous weight loss, it does have some drawbacks.

Restrictive procedures with minimal malabsorption

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

The most popular weight loss surgery, Roux-en-Y procedure, is both restrictive and malabsorptive and will be discussed a little later.

Bariatric surgery can be performed by both an open technique and a laparoscopic technique. The laparoscopic technique has currently become the more popular approach.

Gastric Banding

Gastric banding, also known as lap band surgery, uses an inflatable silicone band to divide the stomach and create a very small stomach pouch.