Weight Loss Surgery

Weight loss surgery has become a topic of great interest these days as more and more people look for an effective weight loss solution. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions, affecting one-third of all American adults and an increasing amount of children and teens. Long-term studies show the procedures cause significant long-term loss of weight, recovery from diabetes, improvement in cardiovascular risk factors, and a reduction in mortality over 20%.

The U.S. National Institutes of Health recommends bariatric surgery for obese people with a body mass index of at least 40. A bariatric surgery person with BMI 35 and serious coexisting medical conditions such as diabetes is an option. Surgery should be considered as a treatment option for patients with a BMI of 40 kg/m2 or greater who instituted but failed an adequate exercise and diet who present with obesity-related comorbid conditions, such as hypertension, impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and obstructive sleep apnea. Patients should visit high-volume centers with surgeons experienced in bariatric surgery.

A laparoscopic adjustable gastric band, commonly referred to as a lap band, is an inflatable silicone device that is around the top portion of the stomach, via laparoscopic surgery, in order to treat obesity. Adjustable gastric band surgery is an example of bariatric surgery designed for obese patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater—or between 35–40 in cases of patients with certain comorbidities that are known to improve with weight loss, such as sleep apnea, diabetes, osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, or metabolic syndrome, among others.

Gastric banding is the least invasive surgery of the bariatric surgery solutions kind. Gastric banding using laparoscopic surgery and usually results in a shorter hospital stay, faster recovery, smaller scars, and less pain than open surgical procedures. The patient can continue to absorb nutrients from food normally. Gastric bands are made entirely of biocompatible materials, so they are able to stay in the patient’s body without causing harm. However, not all patients are suitable for laparoscopy. Patients who are extremely obese, who have had previous abdominal surgery, or have complicating medical problems may require the open approach.