Surgery
Get answers to common queries about bariatric surgery, procedures, recovery, and more to help you make informed decisions about your health.
Personalized Bariatric Surgery Options
At the Obesity Unit in Johannesburg, we offer a range of bariatric surgery options, each tailored to suit different health profiles, weight loss goals, and personal preferences. All procedures are performed laparoscopically (minimally invasive) by our experienced surgical team, with the highest standards of safety and care. Choosing the right surgery is a collaborative decision made after careful assessment by our multidisciplinary team.
Effective Bariatric Procedures Overview
Here’s an overview of the most common and effective bariatric procedures we offer :
Sleeve Gastrectomy
Also known as: Gastric Sleeve
What it is
This procedure involves removing approximately 75–80% of the stomach, leaving behind a smaller, sleeve-shaped stomach that limits food intake and reduces hunger hormones (such as ghrelin).
Benefits
- Simpler than bypass with fewer anatomical changes
- Excellent weight loss (60–70% excess weight loss)
- Improvements in diabetes, blood pressure, and sleep apnoea
- No foreign objects or intestinal bypass
Considerations
- A permanent procedure with a strong safety profile
- Generally well-tolerated with a low complication rate
- Some patients may experience mild reflux, which can often be managed medically
Requires commitment to healthy lifestyle changes and routine vitamin supplementation to ensure long-term success
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
Also known as: Gastric Bypass
What it is
The stomach is divided into a small pouch and connected directly to the small intestine, bypassing part of the digestive tract. This reduces calorie absorption and alters gut hormones to promote satiety and improved glucose metabolism.
Benefits
- High and sustained weight loss (up to 70–80% excess weight)
- Excellent resolution of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome
- Often effective for patients with reflux or failed sleeve gastrectomy
Considerations
- More complex surgery with slightly higher risk
- Greater need for nutritional monitoring and supplementation
- Dumping syndrome may occur with high-sugar foods
SADI (Single Anastomosis Duodeno-Ileostomy)
Also known as: Loop Duodenal Switch
What it is
A newer and highly effective procedure that combines a sleeve gastrectomy with a single-loop bypass of the small intestine. It offers powerful metabolic effects and excellent long-term weight loss.
Benefits
- Excellent for high-BMI patients or those with type 2 diabetes
- High weight loss rates (up to 80–90% excess weight)
- Preserves pylorus, reducing dumping risk compared to bypass
- Fewer anastomoses (connections) than traditional duodenal switch
Considerations
- Nutrient deficiencies are more common – requires rigorous supplementation and follow-up
- May not be suitable for all patients
Revisional Bariatric Surgery
Revisional procedures are performed when a previous weight loss surgery has not resulted in adequate weight loss or has led to complications (e.g. band failure, severe reflux, or weight regain after sleeve). Options include:
- Converting a gastric band to sleeve or bypass
- Revising a sleeve to bypass or SADI
- Correcting anatomical issues or surgical complications
Our Approach
We conduct detailed imaging and assessment before revisional surgery, and decisions are made with utmost care to ensure safety and long-term success.
Which Procedure is Right for Me?
Choosing the most suitable surgery depends on several factors:
- Your BMI and health conditions
- Presence of diabetes, reflux, or previous surgery
- Your weight loss goals and lifestyle
- Nutritional compliance and follow-up readiness
Our team will guide you through every step to help you make an informed decision. We use your medical history, lab results, and goals to create a safe, personalised treatment plan.
Take the First Step
If you’re ready to explore surgical weight loss options, we’re here to help you find the procedure that’s right for you. Book your consultation at our Johannesburg centre and take the first step towards a healthier, more confident future.