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Is Weight-Loss Surgery For You ?
Know the risks and benefits
By Harleena Singh , Staff Writer
Weight-loss surgery , also known as bariatric surgery , is used to treat people with potentially life-threatening obesity when other treatments such as lifestyle changes don ’ t work . It ’ s an option to consider if you cannot lose weight by following a healthy , calorie-controlled diet and exercising or if you have health problems caused by obesity . Adults with a body mass index ( BMI ) of 30 to 34.9 who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes may also be considered for an assessment for weight-loss surgery . However , be aware weight-loss surgery carries a risk of complications , such as hernias , blood clots and infection , and requires a change in lifestyle afterward .
There are various types of weightloss surgery . They all basically limit the amount of food you can take in . Some surgeries also affect how you digest food and absorb nutrients .
Weight loss surgery is for you if :
• you know the risks and benefits ;
• previous efforts to lose weight with diet and exercise have been unsuccessful ;
• you have a serious weight-related health problem , such as type 2 diabetes , high blood pressure or severe sleep apnea ;
• you are ready to adjust what and how you eat after the surgery ; and
• you commit to make lifestyle changes to keep the weight off .
During weight-loss surgery , the surgeon makes changes to the stomach or small intestine or both . The four methods usually used are :
• Gastric Bypass – also called “ Roux-en-Y ” gastric bypass , or RYGB . The surgeon leaves a small part of the stomach or pouch , which can ’ t hold a lot of food , so you eat less . Food bypasses the rest of the stomach and goes straight from the pouch to the small intestine . This surgery can be done through a laparoscope ; the doctor can also perform a mini-gastric bypass through a laparoscope .
• Gastric sleeve or vertical sleeve gastrectomy ( VSG ) – This surgery removes most of the stomach , leaving just a narrow section of the upper part of it , called a gastric sleeve . This surgery may curb the hunger hormone ghrelin , making you eat less .
• Adjustable gastric band – This surgery is done using a laparoscope . The surgeon puts a small band around the top of the stomach . This band has a small balloon inside that controls how tight or loose the band is . The band limits the intake of food to your stomach .
• Duodenal switch – This complicated surgery removes most of the stomach and uses a gastric sleeve to bypass most of your small intestine . It limits how much you can eat and your body doesn ’ t get a chance to absorb nutrients from food , which means you don ’ t get enough of the vitamins and minerals you need .
After weight-loss surgery , most people lose weight for 18 to 24 months . Medical conditions related to obesity usually improve after weightloss surgery . For instance , diabetes improves more quickly as compared to high blood pressure .
The most common side effects of weight-loss surgery include vomiting , bloating , diarrhea , gas , dizziness , excessive sweating and nausea . Some people can suffer serious side effects such as bleeding , infection , leaks from the site of the stitches and blood clots in the legs that can move to the heart and lungs .
A common issue with gastric bypass is “ dumping syndrome ,” where food moves too quickly through the small intestine . Symptoms include