Bariatric surgery encompasses many different kinds of surgical procedures that are performed to vanquish obesity. All these types of surgical procedures involve modifying the size and/or shape of the stomach by either removing a part of it, dividing it with a band or by folding it to make it smaller. According to an article published in The New York Times, the number of bariatric surgeries performed in the United States rose by more than 800% between 1998 and 2004.
Types of Bariatric Procedures
Some of the types of bariatric surgeries are:
Sleeve Gastrectomy – Also known as gastric sleeve surgery, this procedure involves the surgical removal of almost 75% of the patient’s stomach. The open end of the stomach is closed with staples or surgical sutures. The reduced gastric space helps the patient feel satisfied after eating smaller portions of food.
Adjustable Gastric Banding – A silicone band is placed around the stomach to create a smaller gastric pouch. Again, the reduced stomach size allows patients to feel satisfied after eating lesser quantity of food than he/she is used to. This surgery is commonly known as lap band surgery.
Vertical Banded Gastroplasty – The stomach is permanently stapled to reduce gastric space. Because of this, the patient feels sated after eating small portions of food. This induces weight loss.
Gastric Bypass Surgery – The stomach is divided into two parts by using staples. The upper portion which holds food is smaller than the lower portion. The jejunum is then connected to a tiny hole in the upper portion of the stomach. Because of food bypassing a major part of the intestine as a result of connecting the jejunum with the smaller gastric pouch, fewer calories get absorbed.
Am I a Candidate for Bariatric Surgery?
Not all individuals are candidates for bariatric surgery and it is recommended that those contemplating the surgery speak with a doctor prior to taking a decision. In the meantime, we’ve put together a list that may help you figure out if bariatric surgery is right for you.
Do You…
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Struggle to lose even a few pounds?
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Try and fail at weight loss programs?
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Really want to lose weight and improve your health?
- Think you can have a lifelong commitment to fulfill the postoperative medical follow-ups that will be required?
If you have answered most of these questions in the affirmative, then head to this check list –
To be a candidate for Bariatric Surgery you should:
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Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35 or above with a medical commorbidity such as hypertension, high cholesterol or higher
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Have a BMI of 40 or more without any medical commorbidity.
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Be approximately 100 pounds overweight.
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Have been obese for more than 5 years.
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Not be a smoker or heavy drinker. In case you are either of the two or both, you should be willing to break the habit.
- Not be completely immobile. You should be able to engage in light aerobic and anaerobic activities after your operation.
If you fit the profile as mentioned above, you may be a candidate for bariatric surgery. In the event that you fear the mounting expenses that come with surgery, you may head for weight loss surgery in Mexico, India, Costa Rica or any other medical tourism destination. Many patients opt for lap banding, gastric bypass, and gastric sleeve in Mexico, India, and Costa Rica as the cost of the procedures in these countries is much lower than in First World nations. These are just a few of your options as a medical tourist.
Are You Ready to Change Your Life?
The American Heart Association estimates that obesity in America affects nearly 30% of the entire population. People who are obese are not only more prone to co-morbidities such as heart disease and Type 2 Diabetes, but also subject to depression. If you have failed at other weight loss methods but are ready to improve your physical appearance and lead a healthier life, then bariatric surgery might be right for you.
Bariatric surgery is not without risk. Get informed before you make an intelligent decision.
Dr. Deepika Garg – Working to promote medical tourism and helping patients find affordable weight loss surgery abroad.