What are the main non-surgical alternatives to weight loss surgery?

By Mr Michael Van den Bossche
Surgery

Mr Michael Van den Bossche is a renowned consultant general surgeon, specialising in all kinds of bariatric surgery. From his private clinic at the Spire Southampton Hospital, he provides surgical weight loss surgery, along with hernia surgery, gallbladder surgery, surgery to correct gastric reflux, and a variety of laparoscopic surgical procedures. 

Mr Michael Van den Bossche originally trained in Leuven, Belgium under Dr Jacques Himpens, a pioneer in laparoscopic and bariatric surgery. He first worked and gained experience in Brussels, Belgium before moving to Guernsey in the Channel Islands, where he developed the laparoscopic surgery service on the island, going on to establish the island as one of the centres of excellence for laparoscopic surgery.

In 2007, Mr Van den Bossche became the first surgeon to introduce the banded gastric bypass to the UK, and in 2010, he was the first to adopt the mini gastric bypass, or one anastomosis gastric bypass, an operation resulting in better resolution of medical problems, such as type 2 diabetes, and improved weight loss compared to other gastric bypass methods or restricted weight loss operations. For gastric bypass operations, Mr Van den Bossche makes use of the GaBP ring or Fobi ring, making the operation stronger and minimising the risk of weight regain in the future. He also offers the Elipse gastric balloon to those patients who do not qualify for weight loss surgery, while dieting alone is not working for them. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, and does not involve endoscopy, surgery, or anaesthesia. 

Mr Van den Bossche devotes time to training and mentoring fellow surgeons in the UK, and has performed live surgical procedures around the world, in addition to being a trainer for the mini gastric bypass operation. He has published numerous peer-reviewed articles in medical journals, and lectured extensively at international medical conferences. 

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