Weight loss surgery helps patients shed unwanted pounds while reducing their risk of medical problems commonly associated with and exacerbated by obesity.
Patients considering bariatric surgery to lose weight and improve their health have a number of procedures to choose from. Each type of surgery promotes weight loss in one of two key ways: restriction or malabsorption.
Restrictive vs. Malabsorptive Procedures
Restrictive procedures physically limit the amount of food the stomach can hold, thereby restricting the number of calories a person can consume. Gastric banding is one type of restrictive weight loss surgery which works to severely restrict food intake but does not alter the normal digestive processes.
Malabsorptive procedures shorten or bypass part of the small intestine, reducing the number of calories and nutrients the body absorbs.
Gastric bypass combines both restriction and malabsorption methods, as it creates a stomach pouch to receive food. During the procedure, the small intestine is cut below the stomach and connected to the new pouch.
During gastric sleeve surgery (also a malabsorptive procedure), approximately 80 percent of the stomach is removed, leaving a banana-shaped pouch. The new stomach holds much less food than a normal stomach, reducing the number of calories a person can consume. It also has an effect on hormones in the gut that impact hunger, satiety and blood sugar.
Why the Mini Sleeve Works
In recent years, the gastric sleeve has become the most popular weight loss surgery available, since it’s a minimally invasive solution that presents few complications while providing durable, long-term results for patients.
Despite its safety and efficacy, the Mini Sleeve, invented, patented and trademarked by Dr. Todd McCarty, offers patients an even less invasive weight loss option with less pain, few (if any) scars and a brief recovery period.
The McCarty Mini Sleeve uses natural entrances to the abdominal cavity, avoiding painful incisions through the abdominal wall. This results in less pain, lower risk of complications and faster recovery time. Most patients are back to work in two to three days, with no lifting or activity restrictions after surgery.
Patients who choose the outpatient Mini Sleeve can expect the same weight loss as gastric sleeve patients, but with no visible scars and limited tissue disruption.
If you are ready to take the leap into weight loss surgery, contact McCarty Weight Loss Center today to learn more about your bariatric options, including the innovative Mini Sleeve procedure.
