7 Types of Weight Loss Surgery

Written by Jane Long

You have tried every diet and weight loss program available on the market today. Exercise has been difficult, because you are so overweight that it is really difficult to do any meaningful cardiovascular routines. You have gone beyond discouragement and you are now clinically obese and beyond. Maybe it is time for you to consider the 7 types of weight loss surgery.

First, it is extremely important to understand that weight loss surgery is a last resort to better health and quality of life. It is not a temporary fix to a lifetime of overeating and minimal exercise. In fact, it is a total lifestyle change that will include a whole different way of eating, and exercise to maintain good body health.

So, if you are really ready to make the change, the 7 different weight loss surgeries you and your doctor will consider are:

1.    Roux-en-Y
2.    Adjustable Gastric Banding
3.    Biopancreatic Diversion
4.    Vertical Banded Gastroplasty
5.    Nonadjustable Gastric Banding
6.    Stomach Balloons
7.    Sleeve Mastectomy

Each surgery has its own set of benefits and risks. The life-changing surgery is not to be considered lightly. You and your doctor will have to carefully discuss the pros and cons of each, and which procedure will be right for your particular health circumstances.

Roux-en-Y

Roux-en-Y is probably the most popular and well-known form of bariatric surgery. Basically, you stomach will be divided into two parts. The first part holds only 1-2 ounces of food at one time. Thus, it is preferable to patients that have difficulty with portion control. If you eat too much, it will likely come back up.

Additionally, a portion of the small intestines is bypassed. As a result, your body will have less opportunity to absorb calories and fat. However, it will also have less chance to absorb nutrients, so it will be important to take supplements faithfully, to make sure your body still receives what is needed to be healthy.

Adjustable Gastric Banding

Adjustable gastric banding is also another popular form of weight loss surgery. It is actually approved by the FDA. Essentially, a band is placed around the upper portion of the stomach. Then, a balloon is inflated to put pressure on the stomach, so you will feel full faster.

However, you will lose weight slower than with the bypass surgery. All of the calories you eat will be absorbed by your system. So, it will take longer to shed those pounds. It is by far a less drastic procedure; and, it will require you to be more disciplined in your weight loss program of exercise and healthy eating with smaller portions.

Biopancreatic Diversion

Bipancreatic diversion is a drastic form of weight loss surgery for those that have a lot of weight to loss, but feel it will be impossible to eat approximately 2 ounces at a time for the rest of life. However, it also has one of the highest complication rates. So, it must be carefully evaluated for its health benefits.

If you opt for this bariatric procedure, about 90% of your small intestine will be bypassed. In addition, half of your stomach will be surgically removed. You will not be able to absorb nutrition as well. So, it will be necessary to be on a high protein diet and supplements for the rest of your life.

Vertical Banded Gastroplasty

Most doctors do not like to perform VBG weight loss surgery; because there is a greater chance a patient will simply regain the weight. The stomach is essentially divided by staples. As a person eats, the food passes from the smaller portion of the stomach into the larger section. So, a patient can technically resume eating as normal, which would defeat the purpose of undergoing bariatric surgery in the first place.

Nonadjustable Gastric Banding

Nonadjustable gastric banding is similar to the other procedure. Except, there is no balloon to inflate and help you feel full. In fact, the surgery is usually performed outside the United States, and it does not come highly recommended.

Stomach Balloons

Stomach balloons are basically a short-term solution to a long-term problem. The procedure is not used in the United States. But, doctors have used it to temporarily take up room in the stomach, so patients that are too sick for weight loss surgery can get rid of those extra pounds and hopefully become healthy enough for another more permanent bariatric procedure.

Via an endoscopy, a balloon is inflated inside the stomach. Thus, with less room, the patient will feel fuller faster. Unfortunately, the stomach will eventually stretch to accommodate the balloon, so it is only a temporary fix for patients who may actually be too heavy to qualify for other weight loss procedures.

Sleeve Gastrectomy

Like the stomach balloon surgery, sleeve gastrectomy is performed on high risk patients who are not healthy enough for a more drastic weight loss surgery. The curved part of the stomach is removed, so patients cannot eat as much. But, nutrition is absorbed normally. After initial weight loss and healthier circumstances, then a doctor can go in and perform a gastric bypass so patients will lose weight fast.

Well, now you have 7 weight loss surgery options to discuss with your bariatric surgeon. You will naturally go into greater detail, in order to determine if you are a good candidate for any procedure. But, now you have the hope that finally something can be done to help you reach a healthier weight and a better quality of life.