Weight Loss Surgery
People who are overweight or obese are at an increased risk of developing serious health problems. Exercise and a healthy diet are the best ways to lose weight; however, for some people, these methods fail to solve the problem, even after years of trying. In these cases, weight loss surgery (bariatric surgery) may be the best option.
A patient is typically considered a candidate for weight loss surgery if he or she is more than 100 pounds overweight or has a BMI of 40 or greater. BMI stands for body mass index and is based on a calculation that compares the patient’s height and weight. The normal range for BMI is 19 to 25. Please visit our BMI calculator to determine your BMI.
The two most common types of weight loss surgery are Lap Band surgery and gastric bypass surgery. Both procedures work through gastric banding, which reduces the size of the stomach. Lap Band surgery is less invasive than gastric bypass and is the newer type of bariatric surgery.
LAP-BAND
Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAP-BAND surgery) is a FDA-approved, minimally-invasive weight loss surgery that restricts the intake of food at the opening of the stomach. The LAP-BAND procedure helps patients feel more full and therefore reduces the urge to eat too much. To learn more about LAP-BAND surgery, or to see a comparison between lap band and gastric bypass, visit these pages of our website.
Gastric Bypass Surgery
Gastric bypass surgery is a more complex form of weight loss surgery (bariatric surgery). Two gastric bypass procedures are currently available: Roux-en-Y-gastric bypass and biliopancreatic diversion bypass. In addition to gastric banding, which reduces the size of the stomach, the gastric bypass procedure also creates a “bypass” around the stomach and part of the intestine. To learn more about gastric bypass surgery, or to see a comparison between lap band and gastric bypass, visit these pages of our website.
Are You a Good Candidate for Weight Loss Surgery?
Chronic obesity is a serious disease. For those who suffer from it, bariatric surgery is sometimes the only effective solution. Although the procedure is generally only recommended for obese patients, other candidates may include people who tried and failed to lose weight using traditional methods such as dieting and exercise.
Weight loss surgery is not for everyone. To find out if you are a good candidate, contact us today.
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