Ultimately, severe obesity is a chronic medical condition that is very hard to treat. For some people, bariatric surgery helps them by restricting the amount of food they can ingest. It makes significant changes to one’s stomach and intestines.
Often, this obesity is due to a problem in the digestive tract; the body is poorly digesting food or passing food along too fast into the body, which absorbs extra calories.
Related: Benefits of Weight Loss Surgery
Restrictive Versus Malabsorptive Surgery
Restrictive surgery involves making the stomach smaller. A section of the stomach is either closed or removed, which will limit the amount of food that it can hold. This makes patients feel full faster and leads to weight loss.
While malabsorptive surgery shortens the length of the small intestine, which helps aid digestion. This limits the amount of food that is absorbed or absorption. Patients can have one or a combination of both types for maximum results.
Who Qualifies?
Individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or more with extensive medical problems are eligible. While those with a BMI of 40 with limited problems are also likely candidates. Obesity surgery can help treat diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and heart disease.
Types of Weight Loss Surgery Procedures
There are three major bariatric surgery options. The first, gastric banding fits a band around the top of your stomach. Next is the Gastric bypass, which occurs when a smaller stomach is made. The body absorbs fewer calories because the body is done to feel fuller after eating. Lastly, a sleeve gastrectomy reduces the size of the stomach by up to 25%. This involves surgical removal of the stomach resulting in a sleeve or tube.
Questions to Ask Yourself
It’s important to weigh out the pros and cons of any medical procedure especially one of this magnitude. Some important ones in regards to weight loss surgery are:
- Have you tried to lose weight the conventional way?
- Do you understand your options and how the surgery is performed?
- What are the possible side effects of the surgery?
- Will you remain committed to your lifestyle change and eat right and exercise both before and after the procedure?
- Are you committed to being treated for your life regarding this procedure?
- Do you understand the dramatic eating habits differences you will endure after the surgery?
When you’re ready to undergo weight loss surgery contact our patient care coordinators, they will help you with any questions you might have.