Being overweight is an epidemic our nation is facing. More than two out of three adults in the United States are considered to be overweight or obese. If you have been having problems losing weight and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, then bariatric surgery could be an option for you.
Weight loss surgery could be an option for you if diet and exercise have been unsuccessful. A body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher is considered extreme obesity; a BMI between 35 and 39.9 consider obesity. Surgery might be a good option if your BMI is in this range and if you have type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or severe sleep apnea.
There are many different weight loss surgery options to choose from, so read on to determine if any of these medical weight loss solutions will work for you.
Gastric Bypass Surgery
The most well known medical weight loss solution is gastric bypass surgery. Gastric bypass has been performed for over 50 years. This procedure divides the stomach into two pouches, with the small intestine connecting the two. The end result is a reduction in the stomach’s capacity, leading to dramatic weight loss.
Most gastric bypasses are laparoscopic, which leads to a shorter gastric bypass recovery time. After this type of surgery, you can expect to stay in the hospital for two to three days and return to normal activities in about a month.
Lap Band Surgery
Like the gastric bypass, the lap band system reduces your stomach size so you eat less and feel fuller for longer. In this outpatient procedure, the surgeon places the band around your stomach laparoscopically. Some lap band complications include constipation, difficulty swallowing, nausea, vomiting, and acid reflux.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Also known as Sleeve Gastrectomy, this procedure induces weight loss by reducing food intake. In this procedure, bariatric surgeons will remove 75% of the patient’s stomach, thus making the stomach into a much smaller ‘sleeve’ that holds less food.
This method is typically reserved for morbidly obese patients, so some gastric sleeve qualifications include having a BMI of 40 or higher:, being more than 100 pounds overweight: having healthy thyroid, glucose, kidney, and liver levels: and a physician’s recommendation that your weight isn’t related to an outstanding medical condition.
Olde Del Mar Surgical Provides Life Changing Medical Weight Loss Solutions
There are many different benefits to these medical weight loss solutions, but it is important to consult with your doctor before you choose a method. If you are interested in weight loss surgery, contact a member of our care team at Olde Del Mar Surgical today.