Weight loss surgery options have grown during recent years. When researching options, think about what is expected of you to make your surgery and long-term weight loss successful. Surgery works best in conjunction with diet and exercise. Become informed about all the choices available so that you can make the best decision for yourself.
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
According to the Mayo Clinic, gastric bypass is the most common weight-loss surgery in America. Roux-en-Y surgery restructures your gastrointestinal, or GI, tract by stapling your stomach to form a small pouch for food and rerouting the stomach to bypass a portion of your small intestine. Roux-en-Y surgery is generally regarded as nonreversible. The diet is restrictive for the first few months, but most people can transition to a normal diet after time. Expect to lose about 50 to 60 percent of your excess weight and maintain your weight loss long term if diet guidelines are adhered to.
Gastric Banding
Columbia University's Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery describes gastric banding surgery as a band being placed around the stomach and dividing it into a small upper pouch and a larger pouch underneath. The purpose is to cause a feeling of fullness after eating a small amount of food. A doctor or nurse can adjust the size of the pouch to make it larger or smaller. Gastric banding is removable and reversible, making it an attractive option for people who might not otherwise consider surgery. People who follow diet guidelines can expect to lose 40 to 60 percent of excess weight.
Gastric Sleeve
The gastric sleeve procedure is generally reserved for severely obese patients. During this procedure, as much as 60 percent of your stomach is removed so that the stomach is shaped like a tube. This restricts the number of calories a person can eat. This surgery is often used to help promote initial weight loss, and additional weight loss surgery is frequently performed at a later time. According to Columbia University, most people can expect to lose 30 to 50 percent of excess body weight with the gastric sleeve procedure alone.
Duodenal Switch
According to Columbia University's Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery, weight loss with the duodenal switch is achieved via volume restriction and malabsorption. During this surgery, as much as 80 percent of the stomach may be removed, and much of the small intestine is bypassed. The surgery is effective and can produce a weight loss of as much as 80 percent of extra weight; however, long-term risks are higher and include malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies. This surgery is typically reserved for severely obese people.
Vertical Banded Gastroplasty
Vertical banded gastroplasty is the traditional "stomach stapling" surgery. The stomach is simply stapled into two parts, a small pouch and a larger pouch. This surgery limits the amount of food you can eat. There is no bypassing of any of the small intestine. According to the Mayo Clinic, the popularity of this surgery has decreased in recent years because it has not been shown to lead to adequate long-term weight loss.
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