Overweight and obese patients have many different weight loss surgery options to consider. One of the most prominent options is open bariatric surgery. However, if you are considering having this type of weight loss surgery performed, it is important that you gather all of the facts about the procedure, the risks, the benefits and the recovery time before deciding to proceed with open bariatric surgery.


Overview of Open Bariatric Surgery

Open bariatric surgery encompasses several types of weight loss surgeries, including gastric bypass surgery, Lap-Band surgery and gastric sleeve surgery, which are the three most common types of bariatric surgery. The difference between open and laparoscopic methods of surgery is the incision type used to complete the procedure. Whereas laparoscopic methods use several small incisions under the guidance of a laparoscopic camera, open bariatric surgeries use one large incision to expose the entire abdominal cavity.

Although the method of surgery is different, the long-term weight loss results are reportedly the same. The purpose of open bariatric surgery is to alter the digestive anatomy in such a way that it limits the amount of food that can be ingested and digested.


Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric bypass surgery is just one type of weight loss procedure, and it is by far the most common weight loss surgery in the United States. In general, it seems to carry fewer complications than most other weight loss surgeries. The most common method of gastric bypass surgery is the Roux-en-Y method. With this method, the surgeon creates a serious of small staples within the stomach, creating a pouch. This then limits the amount of food that can be digested through the small intestine. Candidates for this type of weight loss surgery are generally patients with a BMI higher than 40, or patients with a BMI higher than 35 who have significant health concerns.


Lap-Band Surgery

One of the other weight loss surgery options is known as the Lap-Band procedure. Although this bariatric surgery option creates the same results as gastric bypass surgery, instead of using staples, an elastic-like band is placed around the stomach to create a small pouch. Again, it limits the amount of food that can be ingested and allows the patient to feel full quicker.


Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Gastric sleeve surgery is also recognized as biliopancreatic diversion (BPD). This type of weight loss surgery is done by removing most of the stomach, about 85 percent. The remainder of the stomach is then used to form a sleeve-like shape. A diversion is created directly to the lower portion of the small intestine, which speeds up the digestive process and reduces the amount of calories left behind in the body.


Risks and Complications

Open bariatric surgery will have a longer recovery time than laparoscopic procedures. This is because the incision size with open bariatric procedures is much larger and requires more time to heal. Consider these risks and complications before proceeding with any type of open bariatric surgery:

  • General anesthesia complications
  • Stomach ulcers
  • Herniation of the incision site
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Pneumonia
  • Excessive vomiting or diarrhea
  • Infection at the site of the staples
  • Blood clots