Weight Loss Surgery Options
Making the decision to have weight loss surgery is not easy, and once the decision is made, it is also very difficult to weigh the many weight loss surgery options that are available. Selecting the right procedure is a decision that must be made based on the weight loss goals that you have set, your current health, and which procedures are covered under your health insurance policy. And of course, you should put a lot of thought into the decision regarding which weight loss surgery option will work best for you, and should discuss all options with your doctor. Let’s look at the three most common options that you might be considering, and the advantages and drawbacks of each.
One of the least invasive weight loss surgery options is the gastric band. This is a fairly simple procedure that involves the use of an inflatable band that sections the stomach into a small upper pouch and a larger lower section. The sections remain connected through a small channel that allows for a slow emptying of the upper pouch into the lower. This type of procedure works by restricting the amount of food that can be eaten at one time; in fact, most people can eat less than one cup of food before they feel satiated. The band is easy to locate just beneath the skin in the abdominal area, making it simple for the doctor to tighten the band or loosen it with the injection or removal of saline, which if often undertaken as an outpatient procedure. This allows the band to be customized based on its effectiveness.
Although the gastric band procedure is sometimes referred to as the “LAP-Band” or “Realize” procedure, this simply is a reference to the brand of the band that is used in the surgery, not to the procedure itself. The advantages of the adjustable gastric band are obvious; it is a simple procedure that is considered to be the safest weight loss surgery option. The procedure is done using a laparoscope, which is a tiny camera that allows the surgeon to place the band via small incisions.
Because it is minimally invasive, the adjustable gastric band procedure has a faster recuperative time than other options, and it can be reversed with a simple procedure that removes the band. The biggest drawback to the procedure is that the weight loss that is experienced may be less remarkable than with other procedures that are more invasive.
(2) Gastric Sleeve
The gastric sleeve, also referred to as sleeve gastrectomy, is a fairly new weight loss surgery option. In this procedure, which is typically done using a laparoscope, around three-fourths of the stomach is removed, leaving behind a narrow sleeve that is connected to the intestines. The gastric sleeve is sometimes used as a precursor to other weight loss surgeries, like the gastric bypass (which we will discuss below), but in many cases, this is the only procedure that is needed to achieve weight loss.
The gastric sleeve is sometimes recommended for people who are sick, or who are very obese because it is less risky than some options. This safer procedure allows the person to lose some of the weight and address health concerns before having a riskier procedure.
A major advantage of the gastric sleeve procedure is that it allows the person to lose up to fifty percent of the weight that they needed to lose within three years. The major drawback to this procedure is that it cannot be reversed and since it is a relative newcomer on the weight loss surgery scene, its long-term risks are not known.
Gastric bypass surgery, which is also called Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, accounts for four out of five weight loss surgery procedures in the United States. During the procedure, the stomach is sectioned into two parts, and the upper section is sealed off from the lower. The upper stomach is joined with the lower section of the small intestine, bypassing a large section of the digestive tract, resulting in fewer calories being absorbed by the body. The biggest advantage to this procedure is that it allows for fast and very dramatic weight loss, with most of the weight being lost in the first six months following the procedure.
For those people who suffer from obesity-related health problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, and so on, the swift weight loss can often cause a rapid improvement in the person’s overall health. The majority of individuals who have this procedure report being able to maintain their resulting weight loss for ten years or longer. The main drawback to gastric bypass surgery is that it is not reversible, so those people who have this surgery must be prepared to accept the permanent change in the way that their body digests food.
