Weight-loss Surgery Types: Choosing the Right One for You

27 Jul 2023

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If you think you have tried everything but failed to lose weight, it might be about time to try a weight-loss surgery. There are different weight-loss surgery types. You should choose the most suitable one for yourself considering your health data with your surgeon.

The main weight loss procedures are known as the gastric sleeve, the gastric bypass, the lap band, and the duodenal switch. If you suffer from severe obesity, all options are good for you. On the other hand, some personal considerations become prominent at the decision stage.

In this article, we will mention how to choose the right weight-loss surgery. How health, lifestyle, age, and other personal factors will effect your decision? You will also read about pre-and post-surgery lifestyle changes and strategies for long-term success after the operation.

The Gastric Sleeve: Procedure Details and Weight Loss Results

The gastric sleeve has been among the most preferred weight-loss surgeries in recent years. In gastric sleeve surgery, a large portion of the stomach, about 80 % of it, is removed and the surgeon leaves a smaller sleeve in its place. It is known that the risk of all complications is 3 % in gastric sleeve surgery which makes it safer. 18-24 months after the surgery, it is expected the patients to lose 50% of their current weight.

It is good for:

Patients with multiple abdominal surgeries
Surgical patients with high risk
People who weight more than 450 to 500 pounds (200-225 kilogram)
Patients on multiple medications to treat a psychiatric disorder

The Gastric Bypass: Procedure Details and Weight Loss Results

Gastric bypass surgery is an operation that shrinks your stomach to reduce the calories you take and that makes you to lose weight. The stomach is disconnected on the top part and made a small porch first. Then, a loop of the small intestine is brought up and connected to this porch. In that way, the surgeon reroutes the GI (gastrointestinal) tract. Consequently, It is known that surgeons bypass about 95% of the stomach in gastric bypass surgery.

In terms of weight loss, gastric bypass is said to be more effective than other types of weight loss surgeries. Rerouting the GI tract leads to hormonal changes and that causes fast weight loss.

The Lap Band: Procedure Details and Weight Loss Results

The lap band surgery procedure is reversible and adjustable. In the lap band surgery, a silicon band called “the lap band” is placed around your stomach, and that reduces the capacity of your stomach and cut down on the passage of food. Hereby, you start eating less and lose weight. The main advantage of the lap band surgery is to have the lowest complication rate after the operation.

The average weight loss after having the lap band surgery is 40% in two years. However, the results may change depending on personal differences and how much you will change your lifestyle and habits after you have the lap band surgery.

The Duodenal Switch: Procedure Details and Weight Loss Results

The duodenal switch is a less common procedure among weight-loss surgeries. It has two main steps. First, 80% of the stomach is removed like in the procedure of the gastric sleeve, and a regular banana-sized part of the stomach left. In the second step, the big part of the intestine is bypassed and connected to the end of the intestine to the duodenum, near the stomach, like in the procedure of the gastric bypass. The result is stronger, as the technics of two weight-loss surgery used.

The duodenal swith is good for:

People with severe obesity
People with severe metabolic disease
People who are very good at following their doctor’s orders

Considerations for Choosing the Right Weight Loss Surgery: Health, Lifestyle, and Personal Factors

Choosing the right weight loss surgical procedure is not an easy thing. You see that there are several options and all sound good. Yes, you are quite right. Then, what to do now? At this point, factors like health, lifestyle, and age step in and show you the right direction.

The best to do is to talk to your surgeon. They are experienced in weight loss surgeries and before you, they help countless people who had similar health problems. Every detail in your health data will be considered attentively. After that, a conclusion will be made according to that database to find out the right procedure for you.

Pre- and Post-Surgery Lifestyle Changes: Keys to Long-Term Success After Weight Loss Surgery

Diet takes an important place before and after the operation. A weight loss surgery is a big tool to lose weight, but its effects are doubled if followed with a diet and exercise. After the operation, a step-by-step diet starts. First two days, as your stomach must heal, there is no food given to the patient. For two weeks, only liquids are allowed and then some soft food as well. See all these restrictions as a part of life long determination to increase your life quality.