Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgeries for Losing Weight

Obesity is quickly becoming one of the most challenging diseases to cure. Trying to lose weight the conventional way often fails. If you need to lose weight because of other health problems, then surgery might be the answer for you.

Surgery

There are many types of surgery for weight-loss and they are known jointly as “weight-loss & bariatric surgeries”. These are surgeries that will alter your digestive system in order to help weight loss by restricting how much a person can eat, or by reducing the ability to reduce the absorption of nutrients or both. As well as leading to weight loss, bariatric surgery may also lower high cholesterol and blood pressure. Depending on which operation, patients often lose 30{0f06621096951f9dc163056155f07a521f5203f52e6b53917fd291a1b5b72857} to 50{0f06621096951f9dc163056155f07a521f5203f52e6b53917fd291a1b5b72857} of their extra weight within 6 months.

Types of surgery

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery

This is the most common done weight loss surgery. The surgeon first divides the stomach into two parts, one that is large and one small. He then staples the small portion to make a small pouch.

Next, the surgeon takes the stomach pouch from the first part of the small intestine (the duodenum). Then your stomach will be reconnected to the second part of the small intestine (the jejunum) – which makes the bypass.

After this gastric bypass, the patient will feel much fuller after only eating less food, so they lose weight. The bypass also keeps the patient using fewer calories, which also helps in weight loss.

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding

This is the 2^nd most common surgery. The surgeon uses laparoscopic tools to place an inflatable silicone band around the upper stomach. The band is tightened around the stomach. This band becomes a small pouch with an outlet that is narrow.

Gastric “Sleeve” surgery

The surgeon will take most of the stomach out and shapes the remaining stomach into a “sleeve” or tube shape. It will remain attached to the small intestine. The stomach will only hold about 2-3 ounces of food. This procedure is permanent and cannot be reversed.