There are several ways to lose weight that you can explore with your doctor, such as proper diet, exercise, medication and surgery. If you’re considering surgery, it’s important to note that it may not be appropriate for every individual. Always discuss the options with your physician, as well as the treatment risks and benefits.
Bariatric or weight loss surgery is now widely-acknowledged as the standard of care. It is the proven treatment of chronic obesity in the long-term. Several studies done by the National Institute of Health have repeatedly proven that bariatric surgery is the only safe and long-term option for patients suffering from excessive weight. Most doctors would agree that minimally invasive surgery is preferred over traditional open surgery techniques. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and robotic bariatric surgery are two common types of bariatric surgeries. Both types of surgery are performed using minimally invasive techniques. A few key differences exist on both minimally invasive procedures:
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Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (or gastric sleeve surgery) is a traditional open surgery approach. In laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, the surgery is carried out by creating five or six small incisions to enter the abdomen.
A fiber-optic device, known as the laparoscope, is connected to a tiny video camera and is inserted through the abdominal wall. The device allows your surgeon to see inside your body while performing the surgery. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is then completed by connecting a section of the small intestine to a small stomach pouch. reduces the size of the stomach to 30% of its original capacity.
In addition to limiting the amount of food you are able to eat, most patients can also expect less pain, few complications, lower risk of infection and quick recovery than traditional open surgery.
Robotic bariatric surgery is relatively similar to laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy since both use small incisions, surgical instruments and a camera. However, they differ on how the surgery is performed.
Robotic surgery technique is carried out by a surgeon who has been specially trained to utilize the technologically-advanced robotic surgical system. During the surgery, the surgeon will make a few small incisions and use a 3D high-definition for a magnified view of the surgical area for increased accuracy and improved visualization inside your body.
The surgeon is seated at a remote station or a console next to the patient and operates through incisions, using a camera and tiny instruments. Compared to laparoscopic surgery, robotic-assisted surgery provides the surgeon with a greater range of precision, motion and overall efficiency. This may lead to less bleeding, smaller incisions and quicker recovery for the patients.
No matter what type of surgery you choose, you can rest assured that you are in the hands of the most experienced and skilled team of weight loss doctors at NOVA Bariatrics. Our team at NOVA Bariatrics are experts in providing weight loss surgery to patients with a history of obesity. NOVA Bariatrics offers minimally invasive operations including laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and robotic bariatric surgery. If you’re in Dallas, Irving or Arlington area and looking for a safer and more effective approach to bariatric surgery, call NOVA Bariatrics to learn more.