Weight Loss Surgery

Obesity contributes to more than an estimated 300,000 deaths in North America every year. It is a major factor in patients diagnosed with Type II diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. Many obese patients struggle for years to get their weight under control, trying diets and exercise trends without much luck. Weight loss surgery allows patients to lose weight at a healthy pace, while restructuring their dietary and exercise habits, contributing to prolonged health and the confidence often needed to endure a long-term weight loss program. Weight loss surgery is a very serious undertaking, and in many cases there are severe risks and side-effects. Understanding weight loss surgery before you commit to having a procedure done will allow you to not only put together a list of questions for your doctor, but help you make an informed decision about whether surgery is right for you.

Restrictive weight loss surgeries include adjustable gastric banding, also known as a “LAP BAND,” and vertical sleeve gastrectomy. One of the greatest advantages to restrictive weight loss surgery is that is easily reversible in the event that the patient develops a nutritional deficiency, and broken bands or sleeves can be easily fixed with little scarring.

The adjustable gastric banding procedure is relatively safe and has a short recovery period. The physical anatomy of the stomach and intestines is left unaltered, meaning there is less risk of infection. The LAP-BAND is a silocon elastic band placed around the upper-end of the stomach. It narrows the entryway into the stomach, altering digestion and the amount of food you can eat. Because of the narrowing process, certain foods cannot be eaten, for risk of blocking the entrance into the stomach. Fruit skin and seeds, nuts and tough meats like pork and beef

Vertical sleeve gastrectomy reduces the size of the stomach, limiting the amount of food that can be eaten. Because the surgeon sections off the part of the stomach that creates the hunger hormone, patients who have a tendency to overeat will be less-likely to feel hungry all the time. There is also less risk of stomach ulcer and intestinal blockage, which often occurs in surgeries where portions of the intestine are sectioned-off. Unfortunately, vertical sleeve gastrectomy often fails after initial weight loss, and patients either stop losing weight and even start regaining weight they’ve already lost

Combination malasborptive and restrictive weight loss surgeries like Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RGB), Duodenal switch and Biliopancreatic diversion tend to have higher success rates with longer lasting weight loss results, however they tend to be riskier and often result in nutritional deficiencies like anemia.

RGB combines the creation of a smaller stomach pouch and intestinal bypass of the lower stomach, limiting the amount of calories and nutrients the body absorbs. Rapid weight loss from this surgery often results in gall stones, and you often have to have gall bladder surgery as well. This procedure is generally considered permanent, but may be reversed in the event of an emergency.

Duodenal switch surgery involves removing a large portion of the stomach an bypassing the intestine to control absorption of nutrients. Unfortunately, this surgery is risky, as malabsorption can often lead to dangerous conditions like anemia, protein and metabolic bone degeneration. The procedure is only partially reversible, and is often considered one of the most dangerous, yet effective weight loss surgeries.

Talking to your doctor about which surgery is best for your obesity condition is important. She can weigh out the benefits and dangers with you to determine the best route to take. You may also want to join a support group for patients who have already undergone the surgery to learn about their experiences and prepare for your own. You can learn a lot from your fellow patients, and studies show that being part of a supportive environment is essential to healing.

The serious risks involved with weight loss surgery make it a decision that should not be made lightly. Weight loss surgery is not for everyone, but if you are more than 80 to 100 pounds overweight, and have struggled with diet and weight loss, it may be time to talk to your doctor. Patients who have been diagnosed with dangerous diseases like Type II diabetes or sleep apnea as a result of their weight, weight loss surgery could improve your overall health. As with any surgery, there are risks to consider, and regimens you must follow afterward to ensure that your body recovers. One of these regimens includes following a doctor-prescribed diet and developing a regular exercise routine once you have to okay from your doctor.