Bariatric surgery has become more common for people today who are obese. Many doctors will recommend weight loss surgery if patients do not lose weight through dieting and exercise or if the BMI is over 40 instead of just 30. Studies show that there is a higher chance of living longer because it helps prevent obesity-related diseases and health conditions by having this surgery done. However, there are downsides to this surgery as well. One of the first is that you must be at a certain weight and have a BMI over 40, excluding many people who need this surgery. Another downside is after having the surgery, one needs to follow a strict diet which can be challenging for some people. If you have trouble losing weight, you can visit a Waxahachie, TX bariatric surgeon. Here are some common types of bariatric surgery you can benefit from.
1. Duodenal Switch Surgery
The duodenal switch is a major surgery that usually takes three to six hours. During this surgery, the surgeon makes the stomach smaller by resecting most of it, leaving only 15% intact. This will reduce the amount of food you can eat because most people report feeling full faster and physically unable to eat as much as before the surgery. Most people also lose around 50% of their excess weight, which can be a big deal if you are severely obese.
Additionally, some people have had some complications after the surgery, which include but are not limited to dehydration, infection, hernias, and blood loss.
2. Gastric Bypass Surgery
This particular surgery has higher complication rates out of all the options available. People who have this surgery have lost 40% of their excess weight more on average than those who have the duodenal switch. The downside to this surgery is that you can only eat a small amount of food at a time, and it must be very soft. Some side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, intestinal blockages, cramping, dehydration, and malnutrition. It is mainly recommended for patients who need to lose weight but don’t have the duodenal switch option due to health issues.
3. Gastric Banding Surgery
This surgery is done by placing a small saline-filled band around the upper part of your stomach. This band will create a new small pouch and only allows you to eat a small amount of food at a time. This surgery can also cause some complications, such as infection and internal erosion of the band. However, it comes with various benefits, including weight loss, effective weight loss, feeling full faster, and stomach shrinkage. Bariatric surgery may advise you to get this surgery if you are severely obese, but you must remember that it is not for everyone.
In summary, bariatric surgery is an effective weight-loss method, but it has a lot of complications and isn’t for everyone. Some of the most common types of bariatric surgery include the duodenal switch, gastric bypass surgery, and gastric banding surgery. If you are interested in having bariatric surgery done, make sure to research all your options carefully and consult with a bariatric surgeon first.
