What is Weight Loss Surgery?
Weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, includes several surgical procedures designed to help patients with severe obesity achieve significant and lasting weight loss.
Types of Weight Loss Surgery
1. Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y)
- Creates a small pouch from the stomach
- Bypasses part of the small intestine
- Typically results in 60-80% excess weight loss
2. Sleeve Gastrectomy
- Removes about 80% of the stomach
- Creates a tube-shaped stomach
- Average 50-70% excess weight loss
3. Adjustable Gastric Band
- Places an adjustable band around the upper stomach
- Creates a small pouch above the band
- Results in 40-50% excess weight loss
Candidacy Requirements
- BMI of 40 or higher, or
- BMI of 35-39.9 with obesity-related health conditions
- Previous attempts at supervised weight loss
- Commitment to lifestyle changes
Benefits
- Significant weight loss
- Improvement in obesity-related conditions
- Enhanced quality of life
- Reduced mortality risk
Risks and Considerations
- Surgical complications
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Need for lifelong supplementation
- Lifestyle modifications
Recovery and Lifestyle Changes
- 2-6 weeks initial recovery
- Gradual diet progression
- Regular exercise routine
- Ongoing medical follow-up
Long-term Success
- Regular medical check-ups
- Vitamin and mineral supplementation
- Healthy eating habits
- Physical activity
- Support group participation