Weight Loss Surgery

Weight loss Surgery or obesity surgery, including laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), roux en-y gastric bypass (LRYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy can provide a permanent weight control solution for severely obese individuals. Streamline Surgical is a company that I formed with Shaw Somers in 2006 that specialises in obesity surgery. Together, we brought together a team of specialist surgeons, anaesthetists dieticians, nurses and psychologists to deliver the best care possible.

Whilst normally straightforward, obesity surgery is not without risk, patients need to be well-informed to make the right decision.

Obesity is measured using a scale called body mass index. An individual's BMI is calulated by dividing their weight in kg, their height in metres squared.

For example a 5'6" (1.68m) lady weighing 14 stone (91kg) would have a BMI of 32.

Doctors use BMI to classify obesity in the following way.

BMI 19 to 25 Normal
BMI 25 to 30 Overweight
BMI 30 to 40 Obese
BMI over 40 Morbid obesity

With increasing BMI the likelihood of developing obesity related illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease increases. BMI 40 is the point at which obesity is definitely harmful to the individual and they are said to have morbid obesity. Unfortunately at this BMI and above it becomes very difficult to lose weight without surgery. Despite what your doctor may tell you at BMI 40 and above there is no medical evidence that dieting, exercise, psychological therapy or drugs will give long-term weight control. The only treatment that has been proven to be effective is surgery.

Surgery is normally appropriate for individuals with a BMI greater than 35, but can also be sometimes considered for less overweight individuals with a BMI between 30 and 35. The laparoscopic adjustable gastric band and the laparoscopic roux en-Y gastric bypass are the two most well-known operations, have the most medical evidence for their effectiveness and have stood the test of time. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is a newer procedure, it may turn out to be as effective as the other two procedures, but currently there is insufficient long-term evidence supporting it.

In my opinion, it is important to try and choose the procedure that is best suited to an individual’s diet, eating behaviour, BMI and obesity related illnesses. Most patients can do well with a laparoscopic adjustable gastric band, but a few patients will not succeed with this procedure and may be better suited to laparoscopic roux en-Y gastric bypass. A consultation with a bariatric surgeon is the best way to find out which procedure would be most suitable for you. Good aftercare, provided by a team of experts, including specialist nurses and dieticians, is essential to ensure a healthy permanent weight loss.

In my opinion, Streamline Surgical provides all the specialist expertise and aftercare that is needed to get the best possible long-term result from weight loss surgery. I only perform weight loss surgery for patients under the care of Streamline Surgical.