Surgical Therapy
Surgery in the only proven means of providing effective long term weight loss. We offer a full range of procedures: Gastric banding, gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy. All of these operations are performed laparoscopically.
Gastric Band
The gastric band is an adjustable device which is placed around the upper stomach. When inflated it stops feelings of hunger and reduces the amount you eat leading to weight loss. With the band the follow up you receive is very important as this determines how effective the band will be in helping you to lose weight. It is safe and effective and can, if necessary, be reversed easily.
Gastric bypass
Also known as Roux-en-y gastric bypass, this operation has been around for a long time and was, until the introduction of the band, the commonest weight loss procedure. Studies have shown it to be a very effective way of producing rapid and long term control of your weight. You can expect to loose 70% of your excess weight with this operation.
Sleeve gastrectomy
In this operation the stomach is reduced to a long this tube which restricts what you can eat. The speed of weight loss is somewhere between that of the band and the bypass. You can expect to loose 70% of your excess weight with this operation.
Your surgeon
Mr Dugal Heath is a highly trained and experienced laparoscopic and bariatric surgeon who works both within the NHS and private sector. He is a member of BOSS (the British obesity surgery society) and SAGES Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons and has presented his results of weight reduction surgery at the IFSO (International Federation of Surgery for Obesity) He is a trainer of laparoscopic surgeons at the Royal College of Surgeons and within his NHS hospital and regularly attends meetings and visits colleagues in Europe, the USA and Australia in order to ensure he is up to date with the most recent developments and techniques in bariatric surgery.
Your consultation
Mr Heath will meet with you, listen to your story and perform a brief relevant examination. He will then explain the difference type of surgery to you and their risks and benefits. Your will have ample opportunity to ask questions and you will receive a letter detailing everything that has been discussed.
Before Surgery
You will receive a letter detailing what you need to do before surgery. It is important to take a special diet for two weeks prior to surgery in order to reduce the size of your liver and make surgery easier and safer.
After Surgery
If you have had a band inserted you will be able to go home the day after surgery and if you have had a bypass 48 hours after the operation. Patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomie’s stay four or five days.
Patients with bands will have their first inflation four weeks after surgery and further inflations as required. As time passes visits will be less frequent. Even so all patients should be seen once yearly.
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