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All About Weight Loss Surgery

Weight loss surgery is a great way to treat obesity and transform your look. Because there are several weight loss options available to men and women, speaking to a weight loss surgeon can help you learn more about a particular weight loss procedure and get answers to any questions you may have.

Gastric Banding (also known as “stomach stapling” and Vertical Banded Gastroplasty) is one weight loss option. In this procedure, an incision is made along the abdomen. Surgical staples are used, creating a small pouch at the top of the stomach, which is not completely closed from the rest of the stomach. The size of the pouch is allows an individual to eat less than a cup of food and feel full. Stomach stapling may involve up to 4 days of hospital stay. Recovery is fairly quick, as most patients return to normal activities within 3 to 5 weeks of surgery.

Gastric Bypass surgery (also known as Roux-en-Y) is another commonly performed weight loss procedure. In this procedure, a surgeon seals your stomach, creating a small pouch. That pouch is then separated from the rest of the stomach and the small intestine is sewed on to the pouch. This causes the food you ingest to bypass your stomach and the first section of your small intestine, which limits your calorie intake. After the surgery, patients will not be allowed to eat for a couple of days, giving the stomach time to heal. Patients may stay in the hospital for 3-4 days and expect full recovery by 3-5 weeks.

The LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding System also reduces the capacity of the stomach and limits the amount of food that can be consumed. The LAP-BAND® system uses a silicone ring that is placed around the upper part of the stomach, producing a smaller stomach pouch that can carry only a small quantity of food. The band may be adjusted by the surgeon if too much or too little weight loss is experienced. After the surgery, patients are typically able to go back to work within a week, with very little discomfort. Following a nutrition plan prescribed by your surgeon is highly recommended, along with taking necessary vitamin supplements. Patients typically lose half of or more than half of their extra body weight within two years of LAP-BAND® surgery.

Liposuction is a procedure designed to contour one’s body. It is not a procedure used for dramatic weight loss. Liposuction only takes care of a small volume of weight, such as a fatty deposit or difficult to eliminate body fat. It is best to be within 10 pounds of your ideal weight for a successful liposuction. Using a general anesthetic or sedation, patients most commonly ask for liposuction of the abdomen, hips, buttocks and upper thighs. Large volume liposuction may require an overnight stay at a hospital. After the procedure is performed, patients will be required to wear a girdle or other stretch garments for 3 to 6 weeks and refrain from exercising for 3 weeks following surgery.

Before making a decision regarding any type of weight loss surgery, it is recommended to look at various sources for more information about your procedure of choice. Adequate research will prepare you for questions and concerns, which you may discuss with a Board-Certified Surgeon.