Bariatric Surgery
Candidates
Weight loss surgery, also called gastric or bariatric surgery, is designed
to treat patients suffering from class 3 (morbid) obesity with comorbidities
who are unable to lose weight using conventional dietary and exercise
methods.
Types of Bariatric Surgical Procedures
In brief, there are two classes of surgery: stomach/gastric banding and
stomach/gastric bypass. The former is a type of "restriction"
surgery, the latter a type of "malabsorption" surgery. Examples
of stomach band operations include: vertical banded gastroplasty
and adjustable gastric banding (lap band). Examples of gastric
bypass include: Roux-en-Y bypass, Fobi Pouch, Biliopancreatic
Diversion bypass with/without Duodenal Switch. As well as traditional
'open' surgery methods, gastric surgeons now use minimally invasive laparoscopic
techniques that utilize instruments connected to video monitors, to help
reduce post-operative complications.
Gastric Banding
Stomach or gastric banding is a "restrictive" type of operation
designed to "restrict" food intake by reducing the size of the
stomach. Bariatric surgeons typically create a small stomach pouch using
gastric-staples, or a silicone or silastic stomach band. This shrinks
the stomach from melon to egg size and reduces the amount of food patients
can eat at one meal. Although gastric band surgery is usually reversible
and does not fundamentally alter the anatomy of the digestive system,
it is easier for patients to "cheat". Therefore stomach banding
is not as effective for weight reduction as stomach bypass operations.
Gastric Bypass
Stomach bypass surgery is a "malabsorptive" type of operation
designed to restrict food intake AND reduce calorie absorption. In a two
stage process, the weight loss surgeon typically shrinks the stomach using
gastric-staples and then bypasses the first part of the small intestine
(duodenum and jejunum). This bypass causes food to pass much more quickly
through the digestive tract and greatly reduces the amount of calories
(and nutrients like vitamins and minerals) that the patient absorbs from
the eaten food. Gastric bypass surgeries are considered to offer significant
weight loss, although they are no guarantee of long term weight reduction.
Post-Operative Weight Loss and Dietary
Guidelines
Both stomach banding and bypass surgery depend upon patients following
their post-operative eating and exercise guidelines. If patients do NOT
observe these food and nutritional rules they will not lose much weight
and any weight loss may be regained within 2-5 years. They also run the
risk of serious malnutrition.
Weight Loss Surgery For Teenagers
Due to the increasing levels of obesity among adolescents and teens, several
gastric surgery pilot schemes are in operation to treat obese children.
Being reversible, adjustable gastric lap band is the main bariatric option.
Popularity of Weight Loss Surgery As
a Weight Control Option
Gastric bypass and stomach banding is becoming a mainstream weight control
method for the treatment of severe clinical obesity. In 2004, 144,00 weight
loss surgeries are predicted to be performed. The average bariatric surgery
patient is a woman in her late 30s who weighs approximately 300 pounds.
The average cost of the surgery is $30,000.
Note: Weight loss surgery, whether bypass
or stomach banding, to reduce severe clinical obesity is a serious undertaking
requiring detailed consultation with your doctor and bariatric surgeon.
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Information and Weight Loss Diets
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