How to Choose Weight Loss Surgery
Sometimes weight problems can spiral out of control to a point where surgery is needed to save a person’s life. Bariatric surgery is a group of surgical options that attempt to remedy morbid, life-threatening cases of obesity. If you’re concerned about the health and well-being of a friend, a family member, or yourself, here are some ways to choose a surgical option that can add years to your life.
Surgery is a Last Resort
Any form of surgery, especially bariatric surgery, is always a last resort. While some forms of weight loss surgery can be used for cosmetic purposes, most forms of bariatric surgery are only performed when:
The weight of the person is enough to endanger his or her life.
When diets, medication, and other weight loss treatments do not work.
When the doctor determines that a certain form bariatric surgery is the only option to save an obese person’s life, and assist him or her on the right path to clean living and a healthier diet.
Kinds of Weight Loss Surgery
There are three kinds of weight loss treatments available through surgery:
Liposuction
Liposuction is not properly considered bariatric surgery, although it is a non-invasive cosmetic surgery opted for by many people looking to lose weight. Liposuction targets a particular fatty part of the body and, using a suction device, the fat is literally sucked out of the body. Liposuction is usually a cosmetic treatment for people who want to look thinner, although it may also be used for patients recovering from other forms of bariatric surgery.
Gastric Banding
A common type of weight loss surgery uses bands and straps to limit digestion and restrict the flow of food into the stomach. The goal of gastric banding is to reduce the size of the stomach. Here are two methods used for gastric banding:
Adjustable gastric bands, also called laprascopic bands, are silicon bands attached to a particular length of the stomach. The band is attached to the stomach with a device called a laprascope, and is often performed as a “keyole surgery.”
Stomach stapling, or the Mason technique, is a form of surgery that uses a band to create a new stomach out of the upper part of the existing stomach. The rest of the stomach is then sutured or stapled to prevent the entry of food.
Gastric Bypass
Gastric bypass does two things: it reduces the size of the stomach, and it redirects the flow of food. Gastric bypass surgery involves removing part of the stomach, and rearranging the connections of the stomach to the small intestine. Gastric bypass surgery is proven to be effective, although the patient should stick to their doctor’s prescribed diet plan.
Consult Your Doctor
The only person who can determine a proper weight loss surgery option for you is your doctor. You cannot make these decisions on your own; if surgery is needed, your doctor will always make the best possible case and decision for surgery. Bariatric surgeries can be expensive, so you need to check your insurance policies first to see if your insurance company will cover for the cost of the surgery.
Losing weight can save your life in many ways, especially if you have a serious problem with morbid obesity. With these options and choices, you and your doctor can make the right decision to put you back on the straight, narrow path of clean and healthy living.