Surgery

When excessive weight becomes a serious health concern, weight-loss surgery is a viable option. In fact, The New York Times reported that those who had weight-loss surgery to get rid of their type II diabetes were more likely to stay in remission than those who lost weight through diet support alone. Why? Because in order to get rid if type II diabetes, a person needs to lose at least 10% of their body weight. According to the article, many obese people can accomplish that kind of weight loss through diet and exercise, but are unlikely to keep it off without the help of surgery.

Who is a candidate for weight-loss surgery?

In the end, only your medical team can decide whether or not you are a candidate for weight-loss surgery. However, here are some of the things taken into consideration. You may be a candidate for weight-loss surgery if you fall into the following categories:

You have been obese for more than five years.
You have already tried lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, or medications to lose weight with little to no success.
Your BMI (Body Mass Index) is 40 or higher.
You have a disease or a disability directly related to your weight.
You are between 18 and 65 years of age.
You do not abuse alcohol and are not being treated for any psychiatric disorders.

What are the different types of weight-loss surgery?

There are many different weight-loss surgeries. Here are the two most common:

Gastric bypass surgery: The name of the surgery is indicative of its result! The stomach is made smaller and the surgery allows food to actually bypass part of the small intestine, which results in fewer calories being absorbed into the body. Gastric bypass surgery causes you to feel full more quickly, ensuring that you will less and therefore consume fewer calories. This surgery is done by making a large incision in the abdomen. Recovery generally takes 3 to 5 weeks. The procedure can also be done laparoscopically, resulting in a shorter recovery time. The after-effects of the surgery are not pleasant and there are risks (such as malabsorption of essential nutrients since foods bypass part of the small intestine) to consider. However, the surgery has a high success rate.

Gastric banding surgery: Gastric banding surgery is less invasive than Gastric bypass surgery and is therefore a safer option. It is a laparoscopic procedure in which a surgeon places an adjustable silicone band around the top portion of the stomach, making the stomach smaller and therefore greatly reducing the appetite. Because food does not bypass the small intestine, there are no malabsorption issues. Diet support is provided post-surgery to help maintain weight-loss. A healthy lifestyle and proper eating habits promote continued and sustained weight-loss.

What are the major risks involved in weight-loss surgery?

Weight-loss surgery should be a last resort. When considering whether or not to have surgery, pay serious mind to the risks involved. Major risks of gastric bypass surgery include excessive bleeding and irreversible damage to the spleen. Other risks are deep vein thrombosis, infection, stenosis, etc.

The risks of gastric banding are significantly fewer than gastric bypass surgery. However, the malfunction of the band can be hazardous. Loss of blood to the stomach and infection are just two examples. When considering weight-loss surgery, make sure you and your doctor agree that the benefit far outweighs the risks.

What are the expected results of weight-loss surgery?

Patients generally lose between 30 to 50% of their body weight within the first six months after surgery. After a year, a patient can lose up to 77% of their initial body weight. Weight loss varies due to things like BMI, health issues, and diet. Overall, those who have weight-loss surgery witness incredible results.

To find extensive information about different types of weight-loss surgeries, visit weightlosssurgeryinfo.com.