Weight loss surgery, or bariatric surgery, is a medical procedure that helps you to lose weight and improve your health by making changes to your digestive system. Tonic is an established group of private weight loss surgery clinics in the UK. Boasting a team of NHS consultant specialist bariatric surgeons and private luxury hospital partners, Tonic offers premier medical weight loss solutions that are tailored to your needs.
Gastric Band
Adjustable gastric band surgery is also known as lap band surgery. It is a restrictive weight loss procedure where an inflatable silicone band is wrapped around the upper portion of the stomach. Your surgeon can adjust the band to increase or decrease the level of restriction.
The tying of the gastric band creates a small, golf ball-sized pouch on the upper stomach that significantly decreases the amount of food you can eat before you feel full. It also slows down the speed at which food moves from the pouch into the rest of the stomach, leaving you feeling full for longer.
Gastric band surgery is a laparoscopic procedure, meaning that the surgeon uses small keyhole incisions. It takes approximately 40 minutes and is performed with the patient under general anesthesia. The potential for conversion to open surgery is less than 0.1 percent.
Gastric Balloon
Gastric balloon surgery is a non-surgical, temporary (reversible) obesity treatment. During the procedure, the doctor inserts a high-grade silicone inflatable balloon into your stomach through your throat. Once it is in your stomach, the balloon is filled with air or saline to occupy more volume.
Having a gastric balloon means that there is less space in your stomach and you can feel full by eating smaller portions. The team at Tonic can help you choose whether a 6-month removable balloon or a 6–12 month adjustable balloon is most suitable for you. The procedure only takes 15 to 20 minutes.
Gastric Bypass
Gastric bypass surgery is also known as the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. First, the surgeon staples your stomach to create a small pouch in the upper section. Then, this stomach pouch is connected to a section of your small intestine, ensuring that food bypasses most of your digestive system.
With gastric bypass surgery, you feel full sooner as your stomach is much smaller. Furthermore, you will absorb fewer calories from the food that you consume. This surgery is one of the most common and successful weight loss procedures performed around the world.
Gastric bypass surgery is a laparoscopic procedure. It takes between two to three hours and is performed with the patient under general anesthesia. The potential for conversion to open surgery is less than 0.1 percent. Although reversal is possible, this procedure is difficult to reverse.
Gastric Sleeve
Gastric sleeve surgery, also known as sleeve gastrectomy, is another popular weight loss operation option. In this procedure, a surgeon removes 75 percent of your stomach permanently, leaving a thin sleeve or tube. As a result, your appetite reduces and you feel full quickly.
Gastric sleeve surgery is a laparoscopic procedure. It takes between 45 to 60 minutes and is performed with the patient under general anesthesia. The potential for conversion to open surgery is less than 0.1 percent. This surgery cannot be reversed as a portion of your stomach will be removed.
Duodenal Switch
Duodenal switch surgery, or biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch, involves two separate procedures. The first is a sleeve gastrectomy and the second is an intestinal bypass where the stomach is connected to a section of the intestine much further down the line.
This surgery works two-fold. The smaller stomach pouch restricts the amount of food that can be consumed and allows patients to feel full sooner. The shortened digestive tract reduces the length of time food has to break down and so reduces the number of calories absorbed from food.
Patients stand to lose considerably more weight with duodenal switch surgery than with other procedures. However, since they will not be able to absorb nutrients efficiently, they must commit to long-term supplementation and regular professional aftercare such as those provided by Tonic.
After Weight Loss Surgery
While weight loss surgery can help you to lose weight fast, you need to make certain lifestyle changes to ensure a lasting effect. Unlike most medical providers that only provide 12 months of post-surgery support, Tonic provides 2 to 5 years of aftercare service to maximize your results.
You will have access to a specialist nutritionist and psychotherapist to help you to improve your diet and eating habits. Their services also include the use of a virtual personal trainer and health coach so that you can enhance your fitness, learn how to enjoy exercise, and keep any excess weight off.
In addition, Tonic offers a range of surgical cosmetic treatments such as excess skin reduction that can help you to regain confidence. With Tonic, you can rest assured that you will get the highest quality medical weight loss treatment and aftercare to enable you to achieve your best self.