Auckland Weight Loss Surgery

Definitions

General surgery takes its name from general medicine, and is a surgical specialty focusing on the torso and abdominal organs. This may include the intestines comprising the oesophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, pancreas, liver, gallbladder and bile ducts. It also often deals with diseases and disorders involving the skin and breasts.moreLaparoscopic surgery, also known as ‘keyhole surgery’, is carried out with the aid of a camera inserted into the abdomen or pelvis. A small incision is made in the abdominal wall through which alaparoscope, a flexible lighted tube with a camera attached, is inserted so that structures within the abdomen and pelvis can be examined. The abdominal cavity is made more visible by distending it with an absorbable gas, usually carbon dioxide. A number of major and minor surgeries may be carried out. A variety of tubes and long, narrow instruments can be inserted through the same incision in the skin, or via other small incisions, facilitating a number of procedures without the need for a large surgical incision. The surgeon uses these instruments to manipulate, cut and sew tissue. A number of procedures can be performed laparoscopically, including gallbladder removal (laparoscopic cholecystectomy), oesophageal surgery (laparoscopic fundoplication), colon surgery (laparoscopic colectomy), and surgery on the stomach and spleen. Most patients receive general anaesthetic during the procedure.moreThe stomach is the digestive organ located in the upper abdomen, under the ribs. The upper part of the stomach connects to the oesophagus, and the lower part leads into the small intestine. Thestomach begins the process of digesting food, which continues in the small intestine. Surgery is performed to help people lose weight, as well as to treat disorders and diseases of the stomach. Weight loss surgery includes a variety of procedures, with the main aim being to reduce the size of the stomach to help achieve long-term weight loss. Three key procedures are: reducing the size of the stomach with an implanted band (gastric banding); removing part of the stomach (sleeve gastrectomy or biliopancreatic diversion); or redirecting the small intestines to a small stomach pouch (gastric bypass). Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, can develop in any part of the stomach and spread to other organs. Surgery is the most common treatment for cancer detected early. It involves removal of part or all of the stomach. Stomach surgery may be carried out with minimally invasive laparoscopic (‘keyhole’) procedures, in which a variety of tubes and long, narrow instruments can be inserted through incisions in the abdominal wall.moreReflux surgery, also called fundoplication, is a technique to treat gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD involves inflammation, pain (heartburn), and complications that result when acidrefluxes (regurgitates) from the stomach into the oesophagus. Normally, there is a barrier to acid reflux. One part of this barrier is the muscle of the oesophagus called the lower oesophageal sphincter, which closes off the oesophagus from the stomach most of the time. With GERD, the sphincter does not work as it should and allows acid from the stomach to go back up into the oesophagus. During fundoplication, the part of the stomach closest to the oesophagus is gathered, wrapped and sutured (stitched) around the lower end of the oesophagus and the lower oesophageal sphincter. This increases the pressure at the lower end of the oesophagus and so reduces acid reflux. Fundoplication may be done with a laparoscope, a flexible lighted tube with a camera attached, which is inserted through a small incision in the abdominal wall. Other small incisions allow instruments to be inserted. This is usually done under general anaesthetic. Laparoscopy usually means a shorter hospital stay.moreUpper gastrointestinal (GI) surgery involves surgery to the oesophagus, stomach, duodenum, or small intestine, all parts of the gastrointestinal (digestive) tract. This is the tube in which themovement of muscles and the release of hormones and enzymes carry out the digestion of food. moreA hernia is a sac or pouch of tissue formed by the peritoneum, the lining of the abdominal cavity. The sac protrudes through a hole or weak area in the fascia, the strong layer of the abdominal wallthat surrounds the muscle. Hernias occur in different places: femoral hernia (upper thigh); hiatial hernia (upper part of stomach); incisional hernia (can occur through a scar if you have had abdominal surgery); inguinal hernia (groin); umbilical hernia (around the navel). Surgery under general anaesthetic is used to permanently fix a hernia. The weakened abdominal wall tissue (fascia) is secured and any holes are closed. An umbilical hernia that fails to heal on its own by the time a child is five years old may be repaired. Emergency surgery for hernias is sometimes needed. In addition to open surgery, some hernias can be repaired using a laparoscope (flexible lighted tube tipped with a camera), which is less invasive.more