Weight Loss Surgery

You have probably heard those many heart-warming stories of weight loss courtesy of Richard Simmons, Billy Blanks and all the other exercise gurus. What happens though when you absolutely cannot lose weight the old-fashioned way? Just because diet and exercise work for some people doesn't mean that they will work for you. In extreme cases, there is always the possibility of weight loss surgery. Let's discuss some of the most common procedures.

Vertical banded gastroplasty is a type of weight loss surgery that uses surgical staples to divide the stomach into two sections. The upper part of the stomach is smaller, and severely limits the space. At this point food empties from the upper pouch into the lower pouch through a small port. The band is used to surround the port so that it doesn't stretch.

Another option in weight loss surgery is laparoscopic gastric banding. This surgery sees an inflatable band placed around the upper stomach, which makes a small pouch and a narrow passage into the rest of the stomach. This type of surgery also limits food consumption and creates a feeling of fullness, which stops the person from eating. Once the band is put in place, a doctor fills the band with saline. The band can be adjusted by either adding or reducing the amount of saline.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is another example of weight loss surgery. This procedure sees a doctor make the stomach smaller with the help of surgical staples, which make a small stomach pouch. The pouch is then attached to middle section of the small intestine. Food will skip the upper part of the intestine and go directly to the middle part through a special opening.

Biliopancreatic diversion involves removing a large part of the stomach and also restricts stomach acid production. The pouch connects to the final section of the small intestine, bypassing other sections of the small intestine area. Along with other predominantly malabsorptive procedures, this practice is becoming increasingly rare in the United States, due to some health risks.

When considering these types of surgery, remember that they are recommended for severely obese individuals, and ones that have tried and failed other reasonable weight loss methods or surgical alternatives. Like other weight loss surgery procedures, the aftermath of these surgeries requires a balanced diet and regular exercise program. If you want to get surgical help for your condition talk to your doctor about weight loss surgery.