| As Obesity levels increase in Western countries, more | | | | stomach, while also making the stomach smaller. The |
| and more people are opting to get Bariatric Surgery, | | | | two most common methods are the Duodenal Switch, |
| also known as Weight Loss Surgery, in an attempt to | | | | and the Gastric Bypass. Of all types of weight loss |
| lose weight that they have been unable to lose | | | | surgery, the gastric bypass is by far the most popular, |
| through conventional methods such as dieting and | | | | and therefore the best understood in terms of its risks |
| exercise. | | | | and results. |
| The Medical guidelines for determining whether you | | | | As with all surgery procedures, bariatric surgery |
| qualify as a suitable candidate for weight loss surgery | | | | carries a risk of complications. Gastric dumping, which |
| are: | | | | can include diarrhoea is relatively common, and leaks |
| You have tried an adequate dieting and exercise | | | | or hernias where incisions were made are a risk. Also, |
| program, without success, and if you are classified as | | | | as with any surgery, infections can be a danger. Risks |
| morbidly obese, with a Body Mass Index of 40 or | | | | are lesser with the restrictive types of weight loss |
| above, or a BMI of 35+ if you also suffer from another | | | | surgery, such as Gastric Banding. Risks are also higher |
| serious medical condition that is related to obesity, such | | | | if the patent has open as opposed to Laparoscopic |
| as diabetes or heart problems. It is critical that the | | | | surgery. |
| surgical weight loss procedure is performed by | | | | You should naturally discuss the risks of surgery with |
| experienced Bariatric surgeons in a high volume | | | | your doctor. |
| obesity surgery center. | | | | However, studies has found pretty conclusively that |
| There are three main kinds of surgery used for weight | | | | the benefits can outweigh the risks for morbidly obese |
| loss. Firstly, there are the malabsorbtive procedures, of | | | | people, with the mortality rate from related diseases |
| which Biliopancreatic Diversion (BPD) is the main type. | | | | lowered, and improved blood pressure, cholesterol and |
| The idea is that surgery is performed to prevent the | | | | diabetic control. |
| stomach absorbing much food. With this method, the | | | | A typical amount of weight loss for the average |
| patient can continue with a free diet. Malabsorbtive | | | | patient after 36 months is between 30 and 40Kg. At |
| weight loss surgery often gives the highest degree of | | | | the higher end, the gastric bypass generally gets the |
| weight loss. However this method is not very popular, | | | | best results, although the risks are also a little greater. It |
| due to quite high risks of malnutrition. The patient will | | | | must be understood, however, that weight loss |
| have to take mineral and vitamin supplements | | | | surgery is not a miracle cure, and the patient must |
| indefinitely after this form of weight loss surgery. | | | | follow the regime and advice given by their doctor. It is |
| Much more commonly performed are the restrictive | | | | possible to "cheat", and continue to eat more than you |
| weight loss procedures, which work by making the | | | | should, and this can have serious consequences. |
| stomach smaller. These include Vertical Banded | | | | Bariatric surgery is expensive, and particularly so in the |
| Gastroplasty, more commonly known as stomach | | | | US. It is also one of those surgeries that is often |
| stapling or the Mason Procedure, the Adjustable | | | | regarded as "elective", and therefore is generally |
| Gastric Band also known as the Laparoscopic Band or | | | | outside the bounds of your medical insurance. For this |
| Lap Band for short, Gastric Sleeve surgery, and the | | | | reason, if you are able to get bariatric surgery, it is up |
| Gastric Balloon. | | | | to you to make sure that you take care of yourself, |
| The remaining bariatric surgery techniques are a | | | | and consider yourself one of the lucky ones! |
| combination of limiting the absorption of food by the | | | | |