Stomach Intestinal Bypass with Sleeve Gastrectomy Perth

Gastric sleeve is a well-known operation that reduces the size of the stomach by removing the bottom three-quarters of the stomach. By removing a large section of the stomach this decreases the amount of food that can be consumed. It also decreases the amount of hunger hormone, ghrelin, that is produced by the stomach.

Intestinal bypass involves rerouting the small intestine so that food bypasses 200cm of the small intestine. This means that only 25% of calories, fat and sugar that are eaten by the patient are actually absorbed. Gastric Sleeve with Intestinal Bypass combines all three methods of surgical weight loss, namely restrictive, hormonal and malabsorptive.

Why would I combine bariatric surgeries?

Sometimes, not all patients that undergo gastric sleeve surgery lose enough weight. They may even be predisposed to regain the weight in later years. This is why, in certain cases, Dr Dolan combines gastric sleeve surgery with internal bypass of 200cm of small intestine. By bypassing the intestine, patients can decrease the number of calories that are absorbed by 75%.

Gastric sleeve with intestinal bypass will

• Decrease the amount of food that can be consumed
• Limits the hunger hormone ghrelin being produced
• Reduces the number of calories absorbed by the small intestine

Is gastric sleeve with internal bypass right for me?

If you are morbidly obese or are overweight with a co-morbid condition, gastric bypass with internal bypass surgery may be a suitable treatment. Within the first two years patients can expect to lose between 70-80 percent of their excess body weight.  Decisions relating to the suitability of this procedure are made on a case by case basis.

How is this surgery performed?

Gastric sleeve with intestinal bypass is performed with laparoscopic surgery. Laparoscopic surgery, also known as diagnostic laparoscopy, is a surgical procedure used to operate on the organs inside the abdomen. It is a low-risk, minimally invasive procedure that requires only a few small incisions.

Laparoscopy surgery uses an instrument called a laparoscope to look at the stomach. This instrument is a long, thin tube with a high-intensity light and a high-resolution camera at the front. Dr Dolan will make five small cuts in the abdomen wall to put the laparoscope through which allows the camera to send clear images to a video monitor. This will help Dr Dolan to see your stomach in real time, without open surgery.

What is the recovery like?

Patients are normally required to stay in hospital for two days where Dr Dolan’s team can monitor your initial recovery closely. We recommend our patients take two weeks off work and wait at least six weeks before attempting any strenuous exercise.

You will be given a postoperative dietary plan which includes:

• Two weeks of liquids
• Two weeks of mushy food
• Consume plenty of water to avoid dehydration

Solid foods can be restarted on week five post-surgery.

Are there risks to this type of bariatric surgery?

As with any surgery, there are potential risks and complications involved. The risks include blood loss, infections, problems associated with anaesthesia, and deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in the leg). One of the more severe complications patients can experience is occasional leakage or breakdown of the gastric contents from the staple line that secures the divided stomach.

What are the costs or funding options for Gastric Sleeve with Intestinal Bypass?

There are a number of factors which may influence the final cost of surgery. Dr Dolan will be able to provide a more detailed quote after consultation. Patients can choose from a variety of payment options available depending on their financial circumstances and insurance status: Medicare rebates are available for this procedure and our surgery offers payment plans for patients.