New weight loss procedure 'an effective alternative'

Surgeons believe that a new procedure could provide an alternative to gastric bypass when used as a revision procedure following gastric banding.

Between six and 15 per cent of gastric band patients have to undergo an additional operation, either to treat complications or to address insufficient weight loss.

Patients generally have to choose between a gastric bypass and biliopancreatic diversion (BPD), both of which are complex, invasive procedures.

However, a study published in the Obesity Surgery journal suggests that another procedure, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, should be considered.

Dr Paul Cirangle from Laparoscopic Associates of San Francisco commented: "This report provides obese patients with data that an alternative exists for effective weight loss."

Five of the eight study participants who underwent the procedure had experienced 22 per cent excess weight loss one month after the operation, while average excess weight loss at six months was 47 per cent.

Dr Cirangle added: "The procedure is not as invasive as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or duodenal switch - sleeve gastrectomy is a 90-minute procedure that requires an average hospital stay of one to two days."

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