Intragastric Balloon   |   Gastric Banding   |   Bypass Surgery

There are two types of surgery: surgery to shorten the digestive tract and/or surgery to reduce its volume. The goal is to reduce the amount of food in the body and the extent to which this food is exploited (turned into energy).

• Gastric bypass surgery to reduce stomach size and shorten the digestive tract by bypassing the stomach. This operation is carried out either using keyhole techniques, or as open surgery with a long abdominal incision.
• Reduction of stomach volume through stapling (gastroplasty, Mason technique) - this can be performed as open surgery with a long abdominal incision or via keyhole surgery. In this operation a non adjustable band will be used. Later adjustment of the stomach is not possible.
• Reduction of stomach volume, without staples, by implanting the Swedish adjustable gastric band. This operation is usually performed as keyhole surgery. The band will be adjusted to the patient’s needs so as to optimise the weight loss process.

Digestion
The digestive tract consists of the mouth, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine. Food enters the system via the mouth and the oesophagus, which is like a long tube, and is temporarily stored in the stomach. The process of digesting food starts in the mouth, with saliva, and is continued in the stomach. Stomach juices containing enzymes break food down: the nutrients contained in the food are then transported around the body by the blood circulation system.