Who Can Have Weight Loss Surgery?

538 Words

Bariatric surgery is commonly known as weight loss surgery that involves surgical operations on gastrointestinal regions. The main purpose of this type of surgery is to close off most of the stomach so as to reduce one's food intake. This sounds like a rather drastic measure and it is difficult to comprehend that some people actually desire to have this type of surgery done in order to get slim. There are some instances, i.e. where people are so obese that this poses a serious threat to their life, and in these cases, bariatric surgery can be regarded as necessary because it is a life saving operation..

The age range of patients who can undergo this type of surgery varies - some people over sixty can have this and so can teenagers - providing all the criteria have been

met. Generally, weight loss surgery tends to be the last resort for people seeking a weight loss solution and is often only considered when all other avenues

for reducing weight have been exhausted. Further, it mainly is a last resort for people who are known as "morbidly obese" which refers to people who are about 80-100 pounds overweight and with a BMI (body mass index) greater than 40.

When considering this type of surgery you need to ensure you get the best medical advice - and obtain second and third opinions if possible. Also, ensure

that the doctor you are consulting with has been board certified in surgery.

You need to be aware of the ramifications of this type of surgery and what it involves,

how it will affect you afterwards and what your expectation levels are. You also need

to get proper counselling both prior to the operation and afterwards.

Bear in mind that this is no simple surgical procedure and can result in severe complications if anything goes wrong.

You have to remember that this is a very drastic measure to take in order to reduce your weight and is a major abdominal surgical procedure involving great pain and a large degree of risk.

Patients have actually died as a result of having this type of surgery and studies currently show that 1 patient in every 500 dies from these procedures.

There are three main types of weight loss surgical procedures that are carried out:

One, known commonly as gastric banding, involves putting a silicone

band around the upper part of the stomach so that the amount of food you eat gets restricted.

The second method is known as "biliopancreatic diversion" and

works by reducing the amount of nutrients and calories that the body can absorb and in so doing helps bring about weight loss.

The third method is the most popular and involves features taken from the other two methods. It is known as the "Roux-en-Y gastric bypass".

No matter which method of surgery you opt for, or are advised would be most suitable for you, the fact remains that once surgery is over, you remain at risk

forever of nutritional deficiencies. This results from your eating habits having to change drastically as a result of the operation - in fact you will become

very ill if you eat too much!