What Weight Loss Surgery is Best for Me?
What weight loss surgeries and treatments are available from Tonic?
After struggling to regain control over your health and well-being on your weight loss journey, discovering weight loss surgery can be a beacon of hope.
However, with several different types of weight loss treatments available, from a gastric band to an Allurion pill balloon, trying to decide which is the best option for you can be overwhelming.
To help you make an informed decision, we’ve put together this blog to break down each of the weight loss surgeries available at Tonic, guiding you on the path to becoming a better you.
Gastric Sleeve
How does a gastric sleeve work?
Gastric sleeve surgery is the most popular weight-loss operation around the world. The procedure involves removing 75% of the stomach, leaving a thin tube or sleeve. This reduction in stomach size reduces the amount of food you can eat, aiding your weight loss.
Another advantage of the gastric sleeve procedure is the removal of the upper part of the stomach, which produces the hunger hormone ghrelin. This helps to reduce your appetite, making you feel fuller sooner when eating a meal.
In addition to weight loss, gastric sleeve surgery has also been known to improve obesity-related medical conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure.
On average the procedure takes around 45 to 60 minutes to complete, through small keyhole incisions under general anaesthetic.
Gastric bypass
How a gastric bypass works
Another well-established weight loss procedure is the gastric bypass. During a gastric bypass the surgeon staples the stomach to create a small pouch, approximately the size of a thumb. This reduces the amount of food that can be consumed at one time. Then, a section of the small intestine is bypassed and reconnected to the pouch, making it shorter, diverting food in the digestive system and limiting absorption.
Similar to gastric sleeve and band procedures, gastric bypass surgery is performed laparoscopically through keyhole incisions. On average the procedure takes between 3 to 4 hours.
Gastric band
How does a gastric band work?
A gastric band offers a less invasive alternative to a gastric sleeve or bypass. In this procedure, a silicone band is placed around the upper part of the stomach, creating a small pouch above the band and a larger pouch below it.
The band is restrictive, limiting the amount of food needed to feel full and controlling how fast food is emptied from the pouch into the rest of the stomach. One of the benefits of the gastric band is that it can be adjusted to increase or decrease restriction.
The surgery typically takes around 40 minutes to complete and can also be performed laparoscopically.
What can you eat after a gastric surgery?
The question on many people’s minds after they have undergone a gastric weight loss procedure is what volume and type of foods will theythey will be able to eat. We advise our patients to go on a specialised diet which will help with the healing process. This specialised diet involves:
- A liquid diet for two weeks
- A pureed diet for one to two weeks and eating soft, easy-to-chew foods for one to two weeks.
Your first follow-up appointment usually takes place six-to-eight weeks after your procedure and your surgeon will be able to advise you on how to proceed based on your progress.
Allurion pill balloon treatment
A non-surgical weight loss option
If you would prefer a non-surgical option, an Allurion pill balloon might be the weight loss solution for you. Unlike weight loss treatments, pill balloons require no surgery, endoscopy, or anaesthesia for placement or removal.
How does an Allurion pill balloon work?
An Allurion pill balloon is a capsule that is swallowed under the guidance of one of our healthcare professionals.
With an 100% success rate in swallowing the capsule, the Allurion pill balloon treatment offers the most minimally invasive option for weight loss.
Once in the stomach, the balloon expands, taking up space to give you a feeling of fullness. Not only does this reduce the amount of food you need to feel full, but it also delays gastric emptying.
- A liquid diet for two weeks
- A pureed diet for one to two weeks and eating soft, easy-to-chew foods for one to two weeks.
Your first follow-up appointment usually takes place six-to-eight weeks after your procedure and your surgeon will be able to advise you on how to proceed based on your progress.
Weight Loss Surgery Options
Which weight loss treatment is best for you?
Ultimately, the best weight loss surgery for you will depend on your individual needs and goals. If you are considering weight loss surgery, our team at Tonic can help you choose the surgery that is right for you and provide the support you need throughout your weight loss journey.
For tailored advice, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team of weight loss specialists today to book a complimentary consultation.
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