Complex obesity treatment often includes some surgical interventions. Your trusted surgeon approved this possibility, but you still have many doubts and fear of stomach parts’ removal? Here are 2 effective, reversible operations worth your attention.

Gastric pouch plication

In the bariatric field, so-called pouch plication is considered to be a relatively new thing. Worth mentioning – even though it is an interventional procedure, gastric plication surgery is minimally invasive compared to others. Thanks to the latest laparoscopic technology, only a few small incisions remind of the surgery. By the way, no parts of the organs are divided or removed.

The stomach is reduced by around 70% – highly skilled medics fold the pouch into itself at greater curvature. Durable one or two-rows medical stitching supports a newly formed food reservoir.

Intragastric balloon

Wondering how surgeons put a space-occupying balloon into the stomach? Firstly, a deflated device is inserted into the abdomen through the patient’s mouth. Note – it’s inflated to around the size of a grapefruit only when inside the pouch. The endoscopic procedure takes up to 20 minutes.

Remember, it’s not a possibly reversible option – the balloon must be taken out no longer than after one year. There is no other choice. How does removal look like? Under mild sedation, the surgeon carries out the operation in reverse steps.

Pros and cons to know

Surgeons share that once candidates hear a word reversible, it somehow makes them feel more safe and determined. However, fear is a natural reaction before any significant life change. Medics stress that in the hands of professionals, there is no need to avoid more drastic decisions.

Anyway, the main pros of reversible options are:

●        Possibly shorter recovery time

●        Less likely post-operational complications

●        Chance to fully reverse the change

Despite the benefits, you should know that the results usually take longer and aren‘t that drastic. Therefore, highly obese people might need a revision to the band, bypass, or sleeve. They might be also be advised to choose other options in the first place.

If your BMI is under or around 35 and 30–50 percent of excess weight loss sounds like it – discuss those options with an experienced team. The one that shares the same holistic and harmonious approach of this life-lasting journey.