Surgeries, no matter how major or minor, always make us fearful. Weight loss surgeries are no exception. The best way to proceed is to learn more about each surgery and its long-term effect on the body. The pros and cons assist patients to be more knowledgeable and, therefore, more confident in their choices. This article takes into account modern-day statistics to prove the impact and the time of healing after these surgeries. The following are the most commonly practised and efficient surgeries for weight loss.
RestrictiveWeight Loss Surgery
This surgery aims to limit the amount you eat you adjusting the size of your stomach. Weight loss surgeons usually perform this surgery obesity when exercise and medicine have given no results. The digestive tract remains the same after this procedure. The changes made will be related to your stomach and, in turn, your appetite.
Two different procedures fall under this category. They include:
Sleeve Gastrectomy
This operation removes 80% of the stomach. Part of the stomach is removed, which reduces the amount of food your stomach can carry. This procedure is called sleeve gastrectomy. It is a popular procedure to curb obesity. Staples are used for the process of reduction. The remaining stomach looks like a sleeve as opposed to a pouch.
Risks Post-Weight Loss Surgery
- Blood clots
- Acid reflux
- Gallstones
- Hernia
- Internal bleeding
- Leakage
Long term Effects
Gastrectomy has an 80-90% success rate among obese patients in the US. It is effective in reducing any health issues related to obesity. Furthermore, a drop of 60-70% weight is observed among patients within the first year post-surgery. Around 58.1% of obese patients opted for this surgery, according to a medical review posted on Medical News Today by Dr.MarkusMacGill in 2018.
Laproscopic Gastric Banding
A band is used to encompass the stomach, which acts as a belt. It restricts the capacity of your stomach and lowers your appetite. This bariatric surgery is called Gastric Banding.
Risks Post-Weight Loss Surgery
- Adverse effect of anesthesia
- Slower weightloss
- The band may slip or disintegrate
- Increased chances for revision surgery
Long term Effects
This surgery may pose long term complications which include a high risk of revision surgery. In some instances, the band is too tightened or may go loose. In other cases, the band may erode within the body overtime. Weight loss is also reported to be very slow.
Gastric Bypass
This surgery divides your stomach into parts. A small pouch is created from the stomach and is connected to the small intestines. This allows fewer calories to be absorbed. You feel much fuller after eating so little. In the US, this is also a very common weight loss surgery.
Risks Post-Weight Loss Surgery
- Excessive bleeding
- Infection
- Breathing problems
- Adverse reactions to anesthesia
Long term Effects
This is a very successful Bariatric Surgery in the US. University of Iowa Health Care posted studies that claim a reduction of 77% excess weight within a year post-op. Another study showed a 50-60% chance of maintaining the weight loss after surgery.
