If you are obese and you are thinking of surgery, you are not alone. It is important, however, that you learn about the different procedures that are out there, finding the one that is best for your particular needs. You will probably be at the point where conventional weight loss methods don’t work anymore, so it is time to look for other options. The three main options out there are the gastric bypass, the gastric sleeve, and the gastric band. Let’s take a look at those three in greater detail.
Different Procedures, Different Results
What you need to think about is which surgery will be most likely to give you good results, and which one will have the smallest amount of possible risks. The most complex of all procedures is the gastric bypass. Because it is so complex, it is also most likely to be the one that brings the greatest risks with it. However, it is also one of the most effective options out there. Your bariatric surgeon will be best able to determine whether this is the surgery you need or not.
Another very effective procedure is the sleeve gastrectomy or gastric sleeve. This is a lot less complex and therefore also has a lot less complications associated with it. Another benefit is that the majority of insurance companies will pay for this procedure if you are recommended to have it by a physician. Weight loss surgery isn’t cheap, so if this is a concern for you, then the sleeve may be the best option out there. Additionally, if you suffer from comorbidity disorders, then this procedure may be a lot more effective for you than, for instance, the lap band. The gastric sleeve is generally the recommended surgery for people who have diabetes or heart disease.
If you would prefer the most noninvasive procedure out there, but still want to achieve your weight loss goals, then the lap band may be right for you. This procedure is classed as being the least risky. That said, it is not completely free of risk. It can happen, over time, that the band actually slips. When this happens, new surgery will be required to replace or remove the band. Additionally, people often have to have the band adjusted, making it either tighter or looser, until they find the right setting for them.
As you can see, every procedure has its own distinct pros and cons. What they all do, however, is enable you to lose weight and that is often much needed for people who are obese. Without the surgery, they are far more likely to suffer from a range of medical complications, complications that are often much worse than those experienced from having surgery. In fact, people who are obese are far more likely to die prematurely, whereas the chance of dying during weight loss surgery is less than 1%. That said, you must consider the pros and cons and discuss these with your surgeon in order to determine which one is best for you.
Leave a Reply