Different Types of Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery is also known as weight loss surgery. It is a procedure that basically reduces the size of the stomach which causes the patient to eat less and helps greatly in losing weight. This is major surgery and the decision to have this done should be taken seriously. The benefits are weight loss and a change in lifestyle that will in turn help to improve health and self-esteem.

There are three different types of bariatric surgery.

1. Gastric bypass surgery. With this kind of procedure, a medical professional will secure staples into the top of the stomach and the small intestine is attached to it, resulting in a smaller stomach to be formed. Since the size is smaller, less food needs to be ingested.

2. Gastric sleeve surgery. This is a less invasive approach using laparoscopic tools to perform the surgery.

3. Lap-Band surgery. This is also less invasive in that the surgeon takes a silicone rubber band and loops around the upper portion of the stomach. Food is first introduced to this smaller stomach, then slowly filters through to the lower part. The idea is that because food first hits the smaller upper part, you will feel fuller faster and eat a smaller amount of food. Weight loss surgery consultation

Before doing any weight loss surgery, you must have a consultation with a bariatric surgeon. You medical history will be looked at and you will go over what methods you have tried for weight loss in the past. You must meet particular criteria in order to be considered for this kind of surgery.

You will seriously talk about the need for a complete change in eating habits if the surgery is done. Some individuals are not comfortable with making this change and therefore are not qualified to undergo weight loss surgery. It is extremely crucial to want to make these changes to be able to effectively lose weight after surgery.

Weight loss surgery is a major procedure, which calls for the patient to be put under general anesthesia for 30 minutes and in some cases up to 4 hours. A few surgeries can be completed as an outpatient surgery and others need a short stay in hospital.

The most obvious change will be in the diet. After surgery only a mere few ounces of food and drink can be taken in. Because of the decrease in food, in the beginning, the energy levels may be lower until your body can get use to the new diets. It normally takes around six weeks before people feel normal again.

Eating less will result in significant weight loss. Once the weight is gone there may be an issue of too much skin that was stretched due to the extreme weight. There are procedures that can be done to help improve the skin such as a body lift, abdominoplasty and panniculectomy which helps to remove the excess skin and fat and tighten the loose muscles.

Next, Dr. Clifton Thomas has more information about weight loss surgery that you can check out. Dr. Clifton Thomas has a new book he is giving away as well that you will want to get.