What Are The Four Most Popular Types Of Weight Loss Surgeries?

Due to the increasing rates of obesity, more people are choosing weight loss surgery as a treatment, particularly those who have failed at trying traditional weight loss programs. Today, there are different weight loss surgery options available. The procedures involved with the different types of surgery will vary so when considering weight loss surgery, it is important for people to be properly informed before they make their choice.

The following outlines the four major weight loss surgeries:

1. Vertical Banded Gastroplasty (VBG): Also referred to as or stomach stapling, Vertical Banded Gastroplasty decreases the amount of food a stomach can hold. It involves cutting and stapling the stomach. This weight loss procedure does not interfere with the normal digestion and absorption of food and nutrients. Today, Vertical Banded Gastroplasty is no longer a common procedure. It is difficult to reverse and it is non-adjustable. As well, it is not that effective at maintaining long-term weight loss.

2. Biliopancreatic Diversion (BPD): This weight loss procedure involves shortening the digestive tract. Three-quarters of the stomach is removed. The portion of the stomach that remains is diverted to the final section of the small intestine. The purpose is to limit the number of calories that can be absorbed. Nutrients pass through without being broken down and absorbed by bile and pancreatic enzymes. There is cutting and stapling of the stomach and bowel. The lap band has the highest rate of mortality and post-operative complications. There are risks such as ulcers, intestinal irritation, nutritional deficiency, and 'dumping syndrome' which are undigested contents that are dumped into the small intestine too quickly resulting in nausea and cramps.

3. Gastric Bypass: This surgery involves decreasing the volume of food the stomach can hold and the calories it can absorb. The stomach is stapled to make a smaller pouch. A section of the intestine is attached to the small stomach pouch, bypassing most of the stomach and part of the intestines. The patient eats less and absorbs fewer nutrients. This surgery is particularly effective for severely and morbidly obese patients. There is initially quick weight loss, however the risks include: reduction of nutritional absorption, dumping syndrome, difficult to reverse, and it is not adjustable.

4. Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (Lap-Band): This weight loss surgery reduces the volume of food the stomach can hold. The lap band procedure involves inserting an inflatable silastic band around the stomach and creating a smaller stomach. The stomach holds less food and the patient feels full with smaller amounts of food. The outcome is considerable weight loss that can be sustained long term. Lap band is the safest and least invasive weight loss procedure. There a low risk of complications, malnutrition, and mortality.

The type of surgical procedure that weight loss candidates select will depend on their unique needs such as their current health condition and body size and weight. Because there are differences, risks and benefits associated with each type of weight loss procedure, it is important for potential patients to talk to their doctor or a weight loss surgeon.

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