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Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery, also known as weight loss surgery, is a medical procedure designed to help individuals lose weight by restricting the amount of food the stomach can hold.

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What is Bariatric Surgery?

Effective weight loss solutions tailored to individual needs. With a focus on affordability and quality, these procedures are performed by experienced surgeons using advanced techniques to ensure safety and success. Whether you’re seeking gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, or other bariatric options, Malaysia provides world-class care that supports long-term health and well-being, making it a top destination for bariatric surgery.

A Detailed Look at Different Procedures

Effective weight loss solutions tailored to individual needs. With a focus on affordability and quality, these procedures are performed by experienced surgeons using advanced techniques to ensure safety and success. Whether you’re seeking gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, or other bariatric options, Malaysia provides world-class care that supports long-term health and well-being, making it a top destination for bariatric surgery.

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Sleeve Gastrectomy

Sleeve gastrectomy, also known as vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG), is a type of weight-loss surgery that involves removing a large portion of the stomach. This procedure leaves a tube-shaped stomach about the size and shape of a banana, significantly reducing the stomach’s capacity. The goal is to limit food intake and promote weight loss by making the patient feel full sooner and for longer periods.

Key Features:

  • Restrictive Procedure: Reduces the stomach size, limiting the amount of food that can be eaten.
  • Hormonal Changes: Decreases the production of ghrelin, the hunger hormone, which helps in reducing appetite.
  • Irreversible: This surgery permanently changes the stomach structure.
  • Minimal Malabsorption: Unlike some other bariatric surgeries, it doesn’t significantly affect the absorption of nutrients.
  • Weight Loss: Typically results in significant weight loss, often around 50-60% of excess weight within the first two years.
  • No Bypass: Does not involve rerouting of the intestines, which reduces the risk of nutrient deficiencies.
  • Simplicity: Generally considered simpler than some other bariatric procedures, with fewer complications.
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Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB)

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) is a commonly performed weight-loss surgery that involves creating a small pouch from the stomach and connecting it directly to the small intestine. This means food bypasses most of the stomach and the first part of the small intestine, leading to significant changes in the digestive process.

Key Features:

  • Combination Procedure: Combines both restrictive and malabsorptive techniques to promote weight loss.
  • Small Stomach Pouch: The small pouch restricts the amount of food intake.
  • Intestinal Bypass: Bypasses a portion of the small intestine, reducing calorie and nutrient absorption.
  • Hormonal Impact: Alters gut hormones to reduce hunger and improve satiety and blood sugar control.
  • Significant Weight Loss: Often results in 60-80% of excess weight loss within the first two years.
  • Reversibility: Though technically reversible, the reversal is complex and typically not recommended.
  • Nutritional Considerations: Requires lifelong supplementation of vitamins and minerals due to reduced nutrient absorption.
  • Diabetes Improvement: Often leads to significant improvement or resolution of type 2 diabetes.

One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (OAGB)

One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (OAGB), also known as Mini Gastric Bypass (MGB), is a weight-loss surgery that involves creating a long, narrow stomach pouch and attaching it to a loop of the small intestine, bypassing a significant portion of the stomach and duodenum. This procedure is designed to restrict food intake and reduce calorie absorption.

Key Features:

  • Simplified Bypass: Involves a single intestinal connection (anastomosis), making the surgery less complex and potentially reducing complications.
  • Restrictive and Malabsorptive: Limits food intake and reduces nutrient absorption, promoting weight loss.
  • Long Pouch: Creates a long, narrow gastric pouch that empties directly into the small intestine.
  • Significant Weight Loss: Similar to other bypass procedures, typically results in substantial weight loss.
  • Hormonal Effects: Alters gut hormones to decrease appetite and improve satiety and blood sugar control.
  • Reversibility: Reversible but generally not intended to be undone.
  • Nutritional Needs: Requires lifelong vitamin and mineral supplementation due to malabsorption.
  • Diabetes Improvement: Often leads to significant improvement or resolution of type 2 diabetes.
One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass OAGB

3 Benefits Of Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery offers several significant benefits for individuals struggling with obesity. It can lead to substantial weight loss, improve or resolve obesity-related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension, and enhance overall quality of life by increasing mobility, energy levels, and self-esteem.

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Significant Weight Loss

With Bariatric surgery, you are expected to lose approximately 60-70% of excess weight on average, and attaining the health benefits that come along with it.
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Resolution

Most patients will experience remission or drastic improvement of obesity-related disease such as diabetes, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnoea. There is proven reduction in deaths due to cardiovascular diseases related to diabetes, and due to cancers.
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Long-Term Success

Bariatric surgery has been proven to provide best long-term and sustainable weight loss and is currently the gold standard treatment for obesity.

Is Bariatric Surgery Right For You?

Bariatric surgery may be a good option for individuals who have not been successful with diet and exercise alone and meet certain criteria, such as having a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher, or a BMI of 35 with obesity-related health issues. It’s important to consult with a healthcare provider to determine if the benefits outweigh the risks based on your specific health condition and goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. At what weight can you get bariatric surgery?

You can consider bariatric surgery if you have a BMI of 40 or higher, or a BMI of 35 or higher with obesity-related health conditions. This generally corresponds to a weight of approximately 100 kg and above for an average height individual in Malaysia.

2. Which country is best for bariatric surgery?

While many countries offer high-quality bariatric surgery, Malaysia is known for affordable, high-standard procedures ranging between MYR 25,000 to MYR 40,000. Other popular options include Thailand and India.

3. Is bariatric surgery worth it?

Bariatric surgery is often worth it for those struggling with severe obesity and related health issues. It can lead to significant weight loss, improvement in health conditions, and enhanced quality of life, though it requires long-term lifestyle changes.

4. Is life normal after bariatric surgery?

Yes, life can become more fulfilling after bariatric surgery. While patients need to adapt to dietary changes and follow strict guidelines, many report improved health, mobility, and overall well-being.