You have every reason to be concerned when it comes to your health. Gaining extra pounds can in most cases lead to health complications such as heart diseases, diabetes, and restricted movement. You have options such as exercising, dieting, or in this case, surgical procedures. To help you make an informed decision concerning the latter, below are surgical procedures you can go through to lose weight. They include:-
Liposuction
Various areas in your body can prove resistant to even the best diet and exercise programs. Liposuction is performed mostly to get rid of double chin, love handles, repair female and male breasts, as well as get rid of extra fat around the abdomen. Today, and thanks to advancements in medical technology, you can opt for laser lipo treatment, which is non-invasive compared to the conventional liposuction procedure. This is a clinically approved procedure that’s safe and one that promises quick results. It’s however important to consult a qualified physician before the procedure as they’ll advise you on the steps to take based on your medical history.
Duodenal Switch
This procedure has two major steps. Step one involves the removal of up to 70% of your stomach then stapling the remaining banana-shaped portion. This helps to regulate the amount of food you eat hence you’ll feel fuller for longer. It also affects the hormones and bacteria tasked with appetite and metabolism. Step two involves dividing the ileum into two sections. One section acts as the food’s path, reducing the number of calories and nutrients absorbed. Even though this procedure will help you lose more weight, it has its risks which include:
- Nausea, bloating, sweating, and diarrhea
- Less absorption of minerals, proteins, and vitamins
Gastric Bypass
Also known as Roux-en-Y. It’s an effective weight loss surgery with 50% of weight loss 6 months post-surgery and the eradication of certain weight-related ailments such as High Blood Pressure and Type 2 Diabetes. The surgeon creates a small pouch from your stomach which is later connected directly to the small intestines. When you swallow food, it goes into this pouch, bypasses most of the digestion processes, then onward to the first section of the ileum.
In most cases, this procedure is done to those whose Body Mass Index (BMI) averages between 38 for obese and above 40 for extreme obesity. Additionally, if you have weight-related ailments such as Type-2 Diabetes, a heart condition, High Blood Pressure just to mention but a few, then your nutritionist can recommend this procedure. However, gastric bypass has its host of risks such as:
- Post-surgery complications
- Dumping syndrome
- Hernias
- Osteoporosis due to the lack of Calcium and Iron
Lap Band
To limit the amount of food you can consume, the upper portion of your stomach is fitted with an adjustable silicone band creating a pouch. To resize the opening from the pouch to your stomach, the surgeon can inject or remove the saline solution found on the inner side of the band. This is done using a needle through a port – a small device placed under your skin. Due to complications such as vomiting, or loosening of the band, this procedure has become less favored.
Sleeve Gastrectomy
Similar to the duodenal switch procedure, the surgeon will remove about 75% of your stomach. The narrow tube or sleeve that remains is connected to the intestines. Unlike gastric bypass, this irreversible procedure doesn’t affect food and nutrient absorption. So, you can relax on that. Nevertheless, it has its share of risks such as:
- Infection
- Post-surgery complications
- Sleeve leakage
- Blood clots
Vagal Blockade (vBloc)
This procedure involves the surgeon placing a blockade device – similar to a pacemaker – under your ribcage. This remote-controlled device sends electrical impulses regularly to the vagus nerve – it extends from the brain to the stomach – that in turn signals the brain that your stomach is full.
This is the least invasive weight loss procedure, although it’s not endorsed by the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). Therefore, American College of Surgeons Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) accredited centers must obtain institutional review board approval before carrying out this procedure. Nonetheless, it also has a fair share of risks such as:
- Battery drainage
- Heartburn
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Chest pains
It’s imperative that you consult a qualified physician before making the final decision concerning any of the above surgical procedures. They’ll help you to understand the procedure as well as advise you on the effects involved. Additionally, there are underlying medical conditions that can prevent you from surgery.
