1. Why Look at Gastric Bypass Alternatives?
Gastric bypass alternatives may be worth investigating. About one-third of people who have gastric bypass surgery develop gallstones, osteoporosis or anemia. Because the surgery bypasses the part of the small intestine where nutrients are absorbed easily, people may need to take vitamin and/or mineral supplements in the form of shots, pills or nasal sprays to prevent deficiencies that can lead to anemia or osteoporosis. Due to the prevalence of gallstones following gastric bypass surgery, some people choose to have their gallbladder removed. Those who don't may need to take medicine to prevent the development of gallstones.
2. Non-Surgical First Choice
If you're considering weight-loss surgery, you probably believe you've tried everything else without success. However, since surgery of any type comes at a price, diet and exercise are worth mentioning again. Consider consulting a nutritionist to go over your diet and portions. You may learn something about your eating habits that you didn't know before. Exercise is tough, especially for overweight people. Don't begin an exercise program without speaking with your doctor. Be careful of weight-loss in a bottle. If a pill is capable of causing you to lose weight without diet and exercise, it probably has negative side effects or it simply doesn't work.
3. Pros and Cons of Lap-Band Surgery
Because lap-band surgery is not as complicated as gastric bypass, it has fewer complications. In this procedure, a surgeon wraps an inflatable band around the upper stomach. Like adjusting a belt, the surgeon has the ability to modify the channel he creates between two pouches of the stomach. The band remains around the stomach indefinitely, and the surgeon can easily adjust or remove it. However, lap-band surgery doesn't cause as much weight loss as gastric bypass. In addition, weight loss is slower. Some people should not have lap-band surgery such as those with Crohn's Disease, gastric ulcers or large hiatel hernias.
4. Stomach Stapling Not for the Long Haul
Stomach stapling, also known as vertical banded gastroplasty, is just as the name implies. A surgeon staples the stomach, dividing it into two parts. This limits the space allowed for food in the smaller upper pouch. The result is that you eat less. Food then empties into the lower stomach pouch. The problem with stomach stapling is that it doesn't keep the weight off, so this weight-loss surgery is not as popular as it once was.
5. Partial Stomach Removal
Surgeons reserve an operation that removes about 80 percent of the stomach for people whose body mass index is 50 or more. Also known as biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch, this surgery bypasses most of the intestine. A great deal of weight loss results from this surgery. However, malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies are a real possibility, so doctors will want to watch people closely who elect this surgery.
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