Procedure details

A fluid-filled silicone balloon is placed into the stomach. The balloon is removed 6 or 12 months later.

An adjustable ring-shaped device is placed at the top of the stomach. The band can be inflated or deflated by a qualified specialist as required.

80% of the stomach removed, including the portion of the stomach which produces the hunger hormone ‘Ghrelin’.  No alteration is made to the bowel.

The stomach is stapled to make a small pouch. An alternative route is made for food and drink to pass through the body.

How does it work?

Restricts the amount you can eat, making you feel fuller sooner.

Restricts the amount you can eat, making you feel fuller sooner.

Restricts the amount you can eat, making you feel fuller sooner. Reduction in ‘hunger hormones’ as well as powerful effects on gut hormones that promote weight-loss.

Restricts the amount you can eat, making you feel fuller sooner. Reduces the amount of nutrients and calories that can be absorbed from the bowel. Reduction in ‘hunger hormones’ as well as powerful effects on gut hormones that promote weight-loss.

Type of anaesthetic

Sedation only with no general anaesthetic.

General anaesthetic.

General anaesthetic.

General anaesthetic.

Surgical Incisions

None.

5 laparoscopic (keyhole) incisions.

5 laparoscopic (keyhole) incisions.

5 laparoscopic (keyhole) incisions.

Eligibility Criteria

BMI of 27 kg/m²

BMI of 35 kg/m² or 30 kg/m² with weight-related medical conditions.

BMI of 35 kg/m² or 30 kg/m² with weight-related medical conditions.

BMI of 35 kg/m² or 30 kg/m² with weight-related medical conditions.

Is it reversible?

Can it be adjusted?

Rate of weight-loss

Slow

Slow

Rapid

Rapid

Average ‘excess weight’ loss

20%

50%

75%

80%

Liver shrinking diet

Length of procedure

20 minutes

30 minutes

40 minutes

75 minutes

Nights in hospital

Day of procedure only

1 night

1 night

1 night

Blood thinning injections required?

Recovery time

24 hours

7-10 days

10-14 days

10-14 days

Life-long follow-up required?

Multi-vitamin and supplementation required?

Anti-acid medication required?

Average ‘excess weight’ loss

20%

50%

75%

80%

Improvement in diabetic control

50%

70%

80%

Improvement in blood pressure control

40%

60%

70%

Risk of death

0%

0.05%

0.11%

0.14%

Additional treatments during early recovery

7%

1%

3%

5%

Short term risks

Intolerance requiring removal of balloon

Vomiting

Perforation

Intolerance

Vomiting

Non-healing and leakage from the staples.

Strictures and narrowing of the stomach tube.

Non-healing and leakage from the staples and surgical joins.

Strictures and narrowing of the surgical joins.

Longer term risks

Ulceration

Deflation

Gastric obstruction

Abdominal pain

Acid reflux

Weight regain after removal

Perforation

Band leakage or twisting

Acid reflux

Nausea

Obstruction

Stomach pouch Dilation

Band Slippage

Need for removal

Stomach ulcers

Fistula

Acid reflux

Barrett’s Oesophagus

Oesophageal dysfunction

Nutritional problems

Iron deficiency

Anaemia

Osteoporosis

Fistula

Bone disease

Vitamin B12 deficiency

Dumping syndrome

Stomach ulcers

Chronic abdominal pain

Bile reflux (mini-bypass)

Common reasons to choose procedure

Can be used at a lower BMI.

Temporary and reversible.

Significant long-term weight loss.

Cheaper than other surgical procedures.

Reversible.

Significant long-term weight-loss similar to the gastric bypass.

Shorter operating time and technically more straightforward to undertake than a bypass.

Fewer short and long-term risks than the gastric bypass.

The most established and studied weight-loss operation.

Most effective in those with metabolic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

Appropriate option for those suffering from acid reflux.

Common reasons not to choose procedure

Acid reflux

Hiatus hernia

Gastritis

A poorly functioning oesophagus

Acid reflux

Barrett’s Oesophagus

A poorly functioning oesophagus

Acid reflux

Barrett’s Oesophagus

A poorly functioning oesophagus

Previous significant abdominal surgery.