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Surgical Options

A decision to undergo weight loss surgery requires careful evaluation. You will want to meet with experienced surgeons and learn about the latest in state-of-the-art surgical options. Together, you and your physician can decide the best weight loss surgical option for your lifestyle and overall health.

Below are brief overviews of the most commonly-used techniques for weight loss surgery.

• Gastric Lap Band Surgery
  In this procedure, a band is placed around the uppermost part of the stomach, separating the stomach into one small and one large portion. The band is connected by tubing to an access port. The surgeon can change the size of the stoma (opening into the stomach) by adding or removing saline.

  This procedure requires close follow-up and periodic saline fillings to manage the size of the stomach pouch.
  
  

• Gastric Bypass Surgery
  Gastric bypass surgery is the most popular bariatric option. The surgery involves stapling and partitioning the stomach into a small pouch and connecting the small pouch directly to the small intestine.

  Inova Fair Oaks Hospital specializes in mini-incision and laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery. Both of these techniques are less invasive than traditional surgery and allow for a faster, more comfortable recovery.
  
  

• Sleeve Gastrectomy
  The sleeve gastrectomy generates weight loss by restricting the amount of food (and therefore calories) that can be eaten by removing about 60 percent of the stomach. A smaller stomach, or "sleeve," is left behind. The surgery bypasses the intestine and is a purely restrictive operation.