General & Bariatric Surgical Associates
2700 29th St., Ste. 105Bryan, TX 77802
Sub Category: Bryan Healthcare Professionals
Related: Bryan Physicians & Surgeons
Business Hours
Located in the St. Joseph Professional Building in Bryan, our practice is dedicated to excellence in all fields of surgery that we practice therefore; we have been able to obtain a long standing reputation in the medical community for providing the latest and best surgical care for our patients. In recent years, we have taken a very special interest in tackling the disease of obesity by offering Gastric Bypass, the gold standard for surgical weight loss, as well as the LAP-BAND System and Gastric Sleeve procedure, both with very low complication rates and no fatalities. As a team of highly trained physicians, we know that undergoing any type of surgery can be stressful, so we strive to provide compassionate care with reliable availability for all of our patients in need.
We look forward to taking care of you and your loved ones. Should you have any questions or would like to attend a FREE Bariatric Seminar please call us at 979-776-5631 or visit our website at www.GBSABCS.com today.
Combined Restrictive & Malabsorptive Procedure - Gastric Bypass Roux-en-Y
In recent years, better clinical understanding of procedures combining restrictive and malabsorptive approaches has increased the choices of effective weight loss surgery for thousands of patients. By adding malabsorption, food is delayed in mixing with bile and pancreatic juices that aid in the absorption of nutrients. The result is an early sense of fullness, combined with a sense of satisfaction that reduces the desire to eat.
According to the American Society for Bariatric Surgery and the National Institutes of Health, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is the current gold standard procedure for weight loss surgery. It is one of the most frequently performed weight loss procedures in the United States. In this procedure, stapling creates a small (15 to 20cc) stomach pouch. The remainder of the stomach is not removed, but is completely stapled shut and divided from the stomach pouch. The outlet from this newly formed pouch empties directly into the lower portion of the jejunum, thus bypassing calorie absorption. This is done by dividing the small intestine just beyond the duodenum for the purpose of bringing it up and constructing a connection with the newly formed stomach pouch. The other end is connected into the side of the Roux limb of the intestine creating the "Y" shape that gives the technique its name. The length of either segment of the intestine can be increased to produce lower or higher levels of malabsorption.
Advantages
- The average excess weight loss after the Roux-en-Y procedure is generally higher in a compliant patient than with purely restrictive procedures.
- One year after surgery, weight loss can average 77% of excess body weight.
- Studies show that after 10 to 14 years, 50-60% of excess body weight loss has been maintained by some patients.
- A 2000 study of 500 patients showed that 96% of certain associated health conditions studied (back pain, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, diabetes and depression) were improved or resolved.
- Hospital stay is usually 48 hours
- Many patients return to normal activity within 2 weeks of surgery
Risks
- Because the duodenum is bypassed, poor absorption of iron and calcium can result in the lowering of total body iron and a predisposition to iron deficiency anemia.
- Bypassing the duodenum has caused metabolic bone disease in some patients, resulting in bone pain, loss of height, humped back and fractures of the ribs and hip bones. All of the deficiencies mentioned above, however, can be managed through proper diet and vitamin supplements.
- A chronic anemia due to Vitamin B12 deficiency may occur. The problem can usually be managed with Vitamin B12 pills or injections.
- A condition known as "dumping syndrome " can occur as the result of rapid emptying of stomach contents into the small intestine. This condition is usually a result from patient eating too many sweets.
- In some cases, the effectiveness of the procedure may be reduced if the stomach pouch is stretched and/or if it is initially left larger than 15-30cc.
LAP-BAND System
The LAP-BAND System is an adjustable gastric band designed to help you lose excess body weight, improve weight related heath conditions and enhance quality of life. It reduces the stomach capacity and restricts the amount of food that can be consumed at one time. The LAP-BAND System procedure does not require stomach cutting and stapling or gastrointestinal re-routing to bypass normal digestion.
The name "LAP-BAND" System comes from the surgical technique used, laparoscopic and the name of the implanted medical device, gastric band. The LAP-BAND System is a silicone ring designed to be placed around the upper part of the stomach and filled with saline on its inner surface. This creates a new smaller stomach pouch that can hold only a small amount of food, so the food storage area in the stomach is reduced. The band also controls the stoma (stomach outlet) between the new upper pouch and the lower part of the stomach. When the stomach is smaller, you feel full faster, while the food moves more slowly between the new upper pouch and the lower part of the stomach. When the stomcah is smaller, you feel full faster, while the food moves more slowly between your upper and lower stomach as it is digested. As a result, you eat less and lose weight.
Advantages
- No intestinal re-routing, cutting or stapling of the stomach wall or bowel
- Adjustable and reversable, allowing for individualized degree of restriciton for ideal rate of weight-loss
- Low risk of nutritional deficiencies or malnutrition risk
- Hospital stay is usually less than 24 hours
- Full surgical recovery usually occurs within about 2 weeks
Risks
- Slower initial weight loss than Gastric Bypass
- Regular follow-up appointments are critical for optimal results
- Requires an implanted medical device to be placed into the body
- In some cases, effectiveness can be reduced due to band slippages
- The access port may leak and require additional surgical procedures
| Gastric Sleeve |
The vertical sleeve gastrectomy is a restrictive form of weight loss surgery in which approximately 85% of the stomach is removed leaving a cylindrical or sleeve shaped stomach with a capacity ranging from about 60 to 150cc, depending upon the surgeon preforming the procedure. Unlike many other forms of bariatric surgery, the outlet value and the nerves to the stomach remain intact and, while th estomach is drastically reduced in size, its function is preserved. Again, unlike other forms of surgery, the sleeve gastrectomy is not reversible.
Perhaps the greatest advantage of the gastric sleeve lies in the fact that it does not involve any bypass of the intestinal tract and patients do not therefore suffer the complications of intestinal bypass such as intestinal obstruction, anemia, osteoprosis, vitamin deficiency and protein deficency. It also makes it a suitable form of surgery for patients who are already suffering from anemia, Crohn's disease and a variety of other conditions that would place then at high risk for surgery involving intestinal bypass.
As a general rule the vertical sleeve gastrectomy is best suited to individuals who are either extremely overweight or whose medical condition would rule out other forms of surgery.
Advantages of the Gastric Sleeve:
- Although the stomach is reduced in size and the amount of food which can be eater is restricted, the stomach otherwise functions normally.
- The major part of the stomach which produces hormones responsible for stimulating hunger is removed from the digestive system.
- The problem of dumping is avoided as the pylorus is retained
- MInimizes the possibility of the patient developing ulcers
- Avoids the problems associated with bypass forms of weight loss surgery including anemia, intestinal obstruction or blockage, osteoporosis and protein and vitamin deficiency.
- Povides a solution for patients with conditions which place them at an unacceptably high risk from other forms of bariatric surgery.
- Provides a laparoscopic solution to patients with a particularly high body mass index (BMI)
Disadvantages of the Gastric Sleeve:
- As this form of surgery does not provide any element of gastric bypass some patients may experience a disappointing weight loss or weight regain.
- High BMI patients will often require follow-up weight loss surgery to achieve their goal. Athough this may be seen as a disadvantage by some patients, in many cases, this two procedure option not only produces the results that the patient wants but may also provide a lower overall risk for the patient. This is something which needs to be discussed with your physician.
- Patients can slow weight loss if they do not stick to a strick diet following this form of surgery.
- Complications may occur as the result of stomach stapling
- The procedure is not reversible as part of the stomach is permanetly removed. It should be remembered though that the gastric sleeve can be extended at a later date if required by performing additional bypass surgery.
