The four major types of weight loss surgery – Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, adjustable gastric band, duodenal switch and vertical sleeve gastrectomy – are available for adults of any age; however, there is a greater risk of complications after the age of 65. In all cases, women are required to be at least 80 pounds overweight and men at least 100 pounds overweight.
Weight loss surgery limits the amount of food possible to intake. Surgery is only utilized when the client is unable to lose weight through a healthy diet and exercise. Studies have shown that surgery is highly effective in reducing the likelihood of death caused by obesity. Furthermore, one study found that 7/10 sufferers of diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure no longer needed treatment for their conditions after their weight loss surgery.
Surgery is usually carried out through a laparoscopy, where a half-inch incision is made and a camera is inserted into the body. While gastric bypass surgery is the most common, each of the procedures has a different purpose. It is important to understand each before you decide which best suits your needs:
1. The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery involves dividing the stomach into two sections so food is only able to pass through the upper, smaller section.
2. Similar to the gastric bypass, the adjustable gastric band splits the stomach into two sections; however, the size of the restriction can be modified.
3. The duodenal switch involves the larger section of the stomach being removed entirely. Food is unable to pass through the majority of the small intestine and digestive juices are rerouted.
4. A vertical sleeve gastrectomy again removes the larger part of the stomach, and a tubular gastric sleeve is formed. The smaller stomach sleeve is connected to a very short section of the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine) that links directly to the lower part of the small intestine.
After weight loss surgery, patients were shown to lose an average of 61% of their original weight. You can best retain your new weight by adhering to your new diet and exercise plans recommended by your doctor.
