Many people see weight-loss surgery as a "quick fix" for their weight woes, but deciding whether surgery is the right choice for you requires careful consideration. There are many types of cosmetic surgery designed to aid in weight loss, some more drastic than others. All carry risks that must be weighed against the potential benefits.
Liposuction
While dieting and exercise will help you lose excess body weight, no diet can help you "spot-reduce" or lose weight from a specific area. Liposuction removes fatty deposits from specific areas, like the stomach, thighs, upper arms and even under the neck, by using a canula and vacuum to break up and suction out body fat. The results are long-lasting because the body cannot create new fat cells to replace those suctioned out. Risks include uneven contours, rippled skin, nerve damage and scarring.
Tummy Tuck
The tummy tuck is most popular with women, who often develop sagging skin around the stomach and separation of the abdominal muscles after pregnancy. The procedure removes excess fat and skin and stitches together separated muscles to tighten and tone the stomach. Gaining or losing weight after the procedure will affect the results, so postpone a tummy tuck if you intend to lose a significant amount of weight or try for another pregnancy.
Gastric Bypass and Lap Band
Procedures that restrict the size of the stomach, like gastric bypass or lap band surgeries, are known as bariatric surgeries. Bariatric surgery is a drastic option that is only recommended for men who are at least 100 lbs overweight or women who are at least 80 lbs overweight. The surgery will limit the amount of food you can consume for the rest of your life, but the results are often dramatic: type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and asthma may improve or disappear completely after surgery.
Body Contouring
After a major weight loss, you may have excess, sagging skin that cannot be toned with exercise alone. Body contouring removes excess fat and skin in problem areas, including the arms, legs, stomach and chest. The main drawback is extensive, visible scarring where the skin is stitched back together, which is unavoidable.
Considerations
All weight-loss surgeries come with risks, sometimes serious ones. The major risks for weight-loss surgeries are infection, blood clots and poor surgical outcomes. Always check that your doctor is accredited by the relevant national and state medical authorities, and ask to see before and after photographs and speak with former patients before scheduling surgery. For almost everyone, weight loss surgery should be a last resort after diet and exercise.
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