Weight Loss Surgery – How Do You Know Which Weight Loss Procedure Is Right For You?

Sleeve vs one anastomosis (mini) gastric bypass vs Roux-en-Y gastric bypass – Dr Balalis offers all of these weight loss procedures.

Sleeve gastrectomy involves removing around 80% of the stomach, which decreases hunger.  This is the most common weight loss surgery in Australia. It provides good weight loss outcomes, but very rarely patients may suffer from reflux following surgery. Dr Balalis does not provide a sleeve gastrectomy as an option to patients who have previously had weight loss surgery, as the outcomes are not good – the treatment of choice would be a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

One anastomosis or mini gastric bypass is a commonly performed operation by Dr Balalis. It involves a similar sized stomach pouch to the sleeve, however the stomach is not removed. The stomach is disconnected, and then attached to the small bowel 150cms down the line. It provides great weight loss outcomes, but may not be the best option for some patients, including those who are younger or wanting future pregnancies.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass involves another join between the small bowel, compared to the mini gastric bypass. This means higher risks, but it is a sound weight loss procedure for patients who have had previous weight loss surgery or who have significant reflux.

All operations have different risks and benefits, and this is why Dr Balalis performs all of the above surgeries for weight loss – there is no one fit for all!

Surgery is a big undertaking, and a very personal choice. There are a lot of reasons why different surgical options are more appropriate for different patients.

Some of these considerations include:

• Diabetes
• Other medical conditions
• Current medications
• Reflux
• Previous surgery
• BMI
• Pregnancy

Sometimes patients choose non-surgical options, and Dr Balalis is very excited to provide a new weight loss procedure in the Elipse by Allurion gastric balloon – he was the first in Australia to provide this option for patients!  It provides a non-surgical option, with no anaesthetic, no sedation and no endoscopy.  It is a good option for patients from a BMI 27 to improve their health, with studies demonstrating 10-15% total body weight loss.

Some surgeons can only recommend one weight loss surgery procedure for all of their patients, as this is the only one they can perform!

Dr Balalis is highly trained in a range of weight-loss surgical procedures, which means the patient is an integral part of the decision-making process.

For more information, please contact Dr Balalis.