Being overweight or obese can pose serious health risks. Although diet and exercise is recommended for weight loss some people may benefit from weight loss surgery, or bariatric surgery. Medline Plus states that weight loss surgery may be appropriate for men 100 or more pounds overweight and women at 80 or more pounds overweight.
An article by Janet M. Torpy et al. published in the "Journal of the American Medical Association" ("JAMA") suggests that weight loss surgery is also appropriate for people with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of greater than 40. The American Dietetic Association website provides an adult BMI calculator to help determine BMI. There are several types of surgical weight loss methods available.
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
According to "JAMA" Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, or RYGB, is a common type of bariatric surgery that permanently reduces the size of the stomach to a pouch about the size of an egg. The new pouch is attached to a portion of intestine that bypasses the rest of the stomach. RYGB is a weight loss surgery that helps restrict the amount of food eaten since the new stomach is much smaller and can hold far less food. RYGB also leads to decreased absorption of the food that is consumed.
Adjustable Gastric Banding
Adjustable gastric banding, or AGB, also aids in weight loss by decreasing food intake. According to the Weight-Control Information Network, a small band is placed around the top of the stomach which produces a thumb-sized pouch. The band can be inflated or deflated to help meet a patient's needs for food intake. The band also can be removed when needed.
Gastric Sleeve Resection
According to the "Journal of the American Medical Association", a gastric sleeve resection is when most of the stomach is removed leaving a narrow tube-like structure; "JAMA" also states that results after this procedure have not been well studied. According to Weight-Control Information Network, gastric sleeve resection works to restrict food intake but does not lead to decreased food absorption. Gastric sleeve resection may also decrease the production of a hormone called ghrelin, which may help reduce hunger.
Biliopancreatic Diversion with a Duodenal Switch
Biliopancreatic diversion with a duodenal switch (BPD-DS) is a complex procedure that can produce significant amounts of weight loss but poses a greater risk for long-term complications. According to the Weight-Control Information Network the procedure helps reduce food intake, decrease food absorption and impair food digestion. BPD-DS involves removing a portion of the stomach, routing food away from the majority of the small intestine and re-routing digestive juices and enzymes. Long-term complications exist for this type of weight loss surgery due reduced absorption of nutrients from food.
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