Types of Gastric Surgery

What are the main types of weight loss surgery in Australia?

There are three main types of weight loss (or bariatric) obesity surgery conducted in Australia.  These are:

  1. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (the Lap-band® System)
  2. Non-adjustable gastroplasty (sleeve gastrectomy)
  3. Gastric bypass

Lap-band® Procedure

Lapband

Sleeve Gastrectomy

Gastric Sleeve

Gastric bypass

Gastric

Of the three main types of bariatric surgery performed in Australia, the Lap-band® System has been used in 95%1 of cases to date and around 14,0001 Australians have chosen to lose weight by this method.

Studies confirm that a gastric banding patient can lose up to 51.1% of their excess weight within the first twelve months2 and after 4 years will have maintained 35% of their overall weight loss.2

Orbera® Intragastric Balloon

In addition, the Orbera® Intragastric Balloon is a new weight loss system that has been developed specifically for people with less weight (15-25kg) to lose than those who are traditional users of bariatric surgery.  More information is available on this new procedure from the Tasmanian Antiobesity Surgery Centre or from the Orbera® website.

Find out about more information on the obesity services provided:

References

  1. Requested Medicare items processed for item numbers 30511, 30512 and 30518 in 2009.
  2. NHMRC, Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Overweight and Obesity in Adults, National Health and Medical Research Council, Australian Government, Canberra, 2003