Camden Bariatric Surgery

Dr. Yves J. Manigat is a member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Here the doctor has answered some of the common questions bizymoms visitors have about Bariatric Surgery.


Q. What types of Bariatric Surgeries are there?

A. Bariatric Surgery is generally characterized as being:
- Restrictive, as in a Lap-Band, Lap REALIZE Band or Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.
- Malabsorptive as in a Jejuno Ileal by-pass which is no longer used, or
- Mixte as in a Laparoscopic Gastric By-Pass or a Bilio-Pancreatic Diversion (the latter is less recommended because of its potential for greater complications).

The restrictive type aims at decreasing the patient’s food intake by reducing the size of the stomach and eliminating its function as a reservoir. With the malabsorptive type, the surface of absorption of the small bowel is significantly reduced creating a deficit or a state of malabsorption, where the food goes right thru a good portion of the small bowels without migrating into the blood stream.

Q. What is a Roux-en-Y Gastric By-Pass ?

A. The Gastric By-Pass is made of two components:
- a gastric one by formation of a small pouch from the proximal portion of the stomach and reducing its capacity to just about 30cc, and
- an intestinal one.

A loop of small bowel is taken from the center of the belly and brought up to the newly created Gastric pouch; the reminder of the stomach being completely separated. The connection of the small bowel to the gastric pouch is made in order to re establish the continuity of the gastro intestinal tract. The bowels are then rearranged in a Y configuration leading to the qualification of Roux-en-Y. The restriction is provided with creation of the small gastric pouch, and the mal-absorption by reducing the surface of absorption of the bowels with the rearrangement.

Q. Does Bariatric Surgery typically lead to major weight loss?

A. Bariatric surgery provides sustainable weight loss. It may be mild, moderate or major based on the type of surgery. The results are generally measured by reporting the percentage of the excess weight loss.

Q. What is the average weight loss for each type of surgery?

A. The average excess weight loss

for a Laparoscopic Gastric Banding: 60%
for a Sleeve Gastrectomy: 70%
for a Gastric By-Pass: 80-90%
and for a Bilio-Pancreatic Diversion: 95%

Q. How long is the recovery period?

A. Using a Laparoscopic approach makes it possible to reduce the hospital stay of a Gastric By-pass patient to only one night. A Lap-Band in most cases can be done in an out patient basis. Full recovery with return to work can be expected in one week or two.

Q. After the surgery, what support will a patient receive in adjusting to daily habits?

A. It is now customary and even mandatory to start the patient’s education prior to surgery which is delivered usually over a period of weeks to months. After the surgery, the support is provided on a set schedule on a one-on-one basis with our nutritionist, or in group sessions for as long as it is needed.