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7 Popular Types of Weight Loss Surgeries

Weight loss surgeries may come with serious threats. This reason is why the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery only recommend bariatric surgery after other weight loss solutions failed.

If you’re obese who have tried and failed with other non-surgical weight loss options, then going under the knife may be right for you.

Try considering any of these 7 popular types of weight loss surgeries.

1. Adjustable Gastric Band Surgery (Lap Band® Surgery)

This surgical procedure involves the placement of an adjustable belt around the top portion of the stomach through Laparoscopy. The band is made of silicone.

The surgeon may adjust the Lap band® by filling it with saline. This is done by connecting a port to the lap band® that’s placed under the abdomen skin.

The primary goal of this surgical procedure is to restrict the size of the stomach. Through this, the amount of food is limited. Also, the Lap band® aims to slow down the passage of food to the intestine.In this way, the gut signals the brain the sensation of fullness with the consumption of less food.


By: Thomas Mussack

Who are candidates for Lap band® surgery?

You may be a candidate for Lap band® surgery if your body mass index (BMI) is over 40 kg/m2 or more than 45 kilograms over your ideal body weight.

Also, you may undergo Lap band® surgery if your BMI is 35-40kg/m2, and if your weight is related to problematic medical conditions. It may be related to high blood pressure or diabetes.

Most programs and surgeons need to take note of your failed weight loss history. This factor will help them identify other conventional approaches.

If you’re below 18 years old, this procedure isn’t for you. Only adults may undergo this type of surgery.You must also understand the entire process and must show full willingness to adhere to the lifestyle changes to obtain a successful procedure. Most centers perform a psychological assessment to make sure that this criterion is met.

What are the contraindications of Lap band® surgery?

  • Difficulty in understanding the procedure
  • Emotional instability
  • Drug dependence
  • History of gastrointestinal problems like Ulcers (Your situation should be reviewed

If you have a medical condition involving the heart or lungs (associated with these risks is a BMI of greater than 50 kg/m2), you may need to lose weight before undergoing the procedure. Through dropping the BMI under 50 kg/m2, better results may be at hand.

2. Gastric Bypass Surgery

This type of surgery accounts for more than 80% of all weight loss surgeries in the USA. This procedure has two parts.

Making a Small Pouch in the Stomach

In the process that’s often called ‘Stomach Stapling,’ the surgeon divides the stomach into the small and large portion. The small portion, which could only hold only a cup of food, is stapled.

This ‘restrictive’ strategy allows you to feel full and eat less.

Bypass

In this step, the surgeon connects the new, small stomach pouch to a part of the small intestine slightly farther down, jejunum.

After the procedure, the food bypasses the duodenum and goes directly to the jejunum. This process restrains your absorption of nutrients and calories and is called ‘malabsorption.’

The Gastric Bypass may be done in two ways:

  • Open surgery: your plastic surgeon aseptically cuts open your belly and works on your small intestine, stomach, and other organs.
  • Laparoscopy: your surgeon uses a tiny camera known as a Laparoscope. It allows the surgeon to see what’s inside your belly.

Potential Complications and Recovery

After you undergo Gastric Bypass Surgery, you might stay in the hospital for 2 to 3 days. After 2 to 3 weeks, you may return to your normal activities.

About 10% of people may experience minor complications that include:

  • Bleeding
  • Ulcers
  • Wound infections
  • Digestive problems

Nearly 1% to 5% may experience severe complications like:

  • Leak in the surgical connections with the intestines
  • Blood clot (pulmonary embolism)
  • Serious infection or bleeding
  • Heart attack

Other health problems may happen as a result of the surgery. Improper absorption of nutrients like Iron and Calcium may occur.

3. Duodenal Switch

This weight loss technique involves:

  • 4-6 small incisions where the laparoscopy instruments are inserted.
  • With the use of a stapling device, the surgeon removes up to 80% of the stomach.
  • The top of the small intestines is cut and ‘left loose.’ Then the lower part of the small intestine is attached in its place. The bottom of the ‘loose’ intestine is connected to the lower portion of the lower intestine.
  • The surgeon removes the gallbladder to reduce digestive juices.

After the procedure, you may feel full sooner, absorb fewer calories and minerals. In the process, you’re losing weight.

4. Liposuction

Sometimes referred as ‘lipo’ by some patients, this popular weight loss technique may slim and reshape specific areas of the body. This is possible through the removal of excess fat deposits with the improvement of the body contours and proportions.

5. Sleeve Gastrectomy (Gastric Sleeve Surgery)

Sleeve Gastrectomy works like other metabolic surgeries. It promotes weight loss by altering hormonal signals between the brain, stomach, and liver to make a lower set point.

How does Sleeve Gastrectomy work?

This surgery may be done in through an open procedure or the laparoscopic approach. More than half of your stomach is removed. Only a thin vertical sleeve is left about the size of a banana. Surgical staples are necessary to keep your stomach closed.

6. Implantable Electronic Devices

The suppression of hunger is the goal of these devices. With the use of electric pulses, obese patients (adults) may now experience losing weight independently.

7. AspireAssist®

This recently FDA-approved weight loss technique may sound new to you. But this method created a stir online since it involves two unconventional yet straightforward procedures.

  • The insertion of valved tube directly into the stomach
  • The emptying of stomach after eating

This weight loss technique demands a full commitment to making a complete lifestyle transformation.

This change includes selecting healthier foods, reduction of portion sizes, and incorporation of regular physical activity.

Also, this technique involves chewing the food carefully since large pieces of food won’t fit through the tube. It may take time to learn the proper way of chewing.

If you’re planning to undergo in this method, you may need the support of your family and close friends. They may help influence you in choosing healthier options like having an active lifestyle.

Weight loss is a continuous battle, but it doesn’t have to go on forever. One of these popular weight loss surgeries may help you. Contact your nearest surgeon and see for yourself!

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