For many individuals, morbid obesity is a very real problem. Often obesity affects many areas of a person’s health and quality of life. For those suffering from obesity, weight loss surgery may be a good option, especially if the individual has tried other weight loss methods without success. It is important to understand, when considering a surgical weight loss procedure what is involved. There are several different types of laparoscopic weight loss surgeries. Each type has its own set of benefits and risks.
What is Laparoscopic Surgery?
Laparoscopic surgery, is not just limited to weight loss operations, it is a method that can be applied to many different types of surgery. This type of minimally invasive surgery works by inserting a small telescope and a tiny, high resolution video camera into a pencil sized hole made on the abdomen wall. Other small incisions are made for the instruments that perform the surgery. The biggest benefit to laparoscopic is the smaller incisions and less discomfort, than traditional surgery methods. Generally the recovery time is quicker, the stay in the hospital is shorter, and there is less stress on the body.
Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass Surgery
Recent developments have produced a wide variety of laparoscopic instruments, including stapling and suturing devices. Any procedure in which the stomach or bowel is cut and re-connected is referred to as “Advanced Laparoscopy”. Many bariatric surgeons have become skilled at this technique for gastric bypass.
In gastric bypass the stomach is divided into two pouches, a smaller upper and larger lower pouch. The small intestine is then attached to the upper pouch. The laparoscopic method has a slightly longer operation time, but a shorter hospital stay and recovery time. Other benefits include reduced pain and suffering, discomfort and hernias. There are also cosmetic advantages, as well. However, it should be mentioned that, this method does not reduce the other risks of gastric bypass surgery.
The results of this weight loss surgery are usually excellent. Most patients can expect to lose 50% to 80% of excess body weight. Most of this weight is lost in the first year, so this is really a very fast weight loss method.
Laparoscopic Adjustable Silicone Gastric Banding
This type of surgery uses a silicone band to produce a small upper stomach pouch with a narrow opening into the lower stomach. There are many advantages to this type of surgery. The hospital stay is very short. The band is adjustable and the surgery is fully reversible. This method has a somewhat less risk than gastric bypass, but the weight loss is not as fast either.
Benefits of Weight Loss
While the decision to have weight loss surgery, is not an easy one, there are many benefits to consider. Once the weight is lost many other weight related conditions will improve as well. High cholesterol, high blood pressure and sleep apnea problems are all at least partially relieved within one year of having weight loss surgery.
