Considering Weight Loss Surgery?

Obesity is a chronic and progressive disease that can affect multiple organs in the body. Over 25% of Australians are obese. People with severe obesity are at greater risk of disease or premature death. At the top of the list of obesity related co-morbidities are type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and PCOS. High blood pressure caused by severe obesity can contribute to heart attacks, congestive heart failure and stroke. Health concerns such as sleep apnoea, asthma, severe acid reflux (GORD), depression and infertility in women, are also a result of increased weight. Significant weight loss can often ease these conditions or reverse them completely.

What are the criteria for patients considering bariatric surgery for severe obesity?

Many patients have tried multiple diets, medications and exercise regimes with results that did not last. Eligible patients for weight loss surgery would usually have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or greater; however each patient is evaluated individually depending on medical co-morbidities.

Single Anastomosis Duodeno–Ileal Bypass with Sleeve Gastrectomy (SADI-S) combines the benefits of a gastric sleeve with an intestinal bypass. A gastric sleeve is performed and a loop of intestine is brought up and attached to the duodenum, which is the part of small bowel that is connected to the outlet of the stomach. SADI-S involves bypassing up to 400cm of small intestine. SADI-S reduces the amount food that can be eaten, decreases production of the hunger hormone ghrelin and dramatically decreases absorption of calories that are consumed.

Advantages Specific to SADI-S

• Rapid weight loss
• Better control of type 2 diabetes
• Treats diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, PCOS
• Less risk of stomal ulcers

Risks Specific to SADI-S

• Risk of leak from 3 staple lines
• Leak from duodenal stump that would require further surgery
• Risk of nutritional deficiency if supplements not taken
• Diarrhoea if excess fatty foods consumed

Dr Kevin Dolan provides a range of weight loss options, including SADI-S, a procedure that combines sleeve gastrectomy and intestinal bypass.

For more information on SADI-S and what the procedure involves, please take a look here.

If you would like to arrange a consultation with Dr Kevin Dolan, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.