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Gastric Band and Other Obesity Surgery Options

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What is Obesity?

Obesity is broadly speaking characterised as being when a person is approximately 100 pounds above the ideal body weight. This can also be determined as a person with a  body mass index (BMI) of 35 to 40 or above.

The best procedure for the patient will be recommended by your bariatric surgeon at the first consultation who will consider all of the factors according to the general health, the weigh, and the attitude of the person. There are certain health factors which will always be taken in to consideration which are known as co-morbid factors which will include high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and sleep apnoea.  In general terms the more weight the person needs to lose, the more radical the type of operation.

Obesity Surgery Options

During the last ten years or so many techniques for weight loss surgery have been developed or perfected. The two most commonly known of these are gastric banding and gastric bypass surgery. There has recently been two new additions to this list which are known as the gastric sleeve (sleeved gastrectomy). and the gastric balloon

Gastric band Surgery

The gastric banding operation involves surgically placing a small adjustable silicone lap band around the upper part of the stomach creating a reduced stomach upper pouch area which restricts the volume of food which the stomach can accept at the time of eating.  This reduces the overall amount of food that the person can consume at any one time. The main advantages of gastric banding include a minimally invasive procedure, a shorter hospital stay, a faster recovery period, and the ability for ongoing adjustments to the band by filling the band with a saline solution which is an easily managed procedure which can be done at regular intervals by the surgeon, or a qualified nurse who has been specially trained to conduct this type of procedure.

Gastric Bypass Surgery

A gastric bypass  is a more radical surgery and has the additional advantage that there will be a more significant weight loss accomplished in a shorter period of time. However the main disadvantages of gastric bypass surgery is that this is a much more invasive surgical procedure, generally requiring at least three days hospitalisation, a higher risk of mal-absorption problems and the possibility of vitamin deficiency.

Gastric Sleeve Surgery

A gastric sleeve operation is executed by excising a fairly large portion of the stomach thereby reducing and reshaping the stomach into a banana shaped pouch. The disadvantages with this  procedure are that it is not as easily managed afterwards, but generally gives a speedier loss of weight.

Gastric Balloon Surgery

There is now a  further development which is known as the gastric balloon which is inserted inside the patients stomach thereby reducing the inner volume of the stomach. The Balloon can be adjusted by the volume of inflation of the balloon. This method is still in its early stages of development at the time of writing this article.
The main result of each of these operations effectively results in a smaller stomach. A reduced stomach not only restrict the volume of food the stomach can accept at any one time, it will also send a subliminal message to brain that the stomach is already full and therefore no further food is called for.

Post Surgery Considerations and Expectations
In many cases after a year has passed the patient will have lost a considerable amount of weight if they have followed the recommendations of the surgeons, have followed a stick diet which will have been recommended by a nutritionalist following surgery, and there have been no other complications.
Depending on the amount of weight loss it is quite common that a person may need further cosmetic surgery to remove access skin or re-shaping of the body mass. The most common of these include a thigh lift, tummy tuck (panniculectomy), complete body lift, a breast lift, breast reduction or an arm lift (brachioplasty).
Any major weight loss procedure normally improves dramatically the self image and self esteem of the patient, an improvement in lift style, quality of life and the most beneficial of is an increased life span.

2 thoughts on “Gastric Band and Other Obesity Surgery Options”

  1. So refreshing to see an article that is clear and concise, which lays out allof the options so clearly.

    Do you think that the recent exposure of celebrities who have had gastric banding has made the option become ‘attainable’ to ‘normal’ humans? Do you think it is becoming too easily available – or should MORE people be having it?

    Chris

  2. hi Chris

    gastric band surgery is the NEW ‘IN’ Surgery for the celebs. It would seem that it is being considered as the easy option for weight loss for those who dont have time or cant be bothered to slim and excercise or watch what they eat.

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