4 Types of Weight Loss Surgery You Should Know About

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Obesity is a medical condition that increases your risk of heart problems, diabetes, and even certain types of cancer. For this reason, it is important to lose excess weight in order to prevent severe health conditions. 

There are many ways to lose weight. Some people prefer strict diets and exercise while others choose more radical options like weight loss surgery. Weight loss surgery helps people reduce their weight in a short time and eliminate all health risks associated with excess fat. However, there are different types of weight loss surgery and it can be hard to choose the right one for you. 

Below you can read about the 4 main types of weight loss surgery. Understanding each type of surgery will help you determine which one is best for you. 

1. Gastric band

Gastric banding surgery involves placing an adjustable silicone band around the upper part of your stomach. This decreases the stomach pouch outlet to about an inch wide. After the procedure, your stomach will be able to hold about one ounce of food. This eliminates the need to eat a lot to feel full. Thus, the number of calories you consume decreases significantly. 

This weight loss procedure usually allows a person to lose up to 45% of excess weight. However, results may vary depending on your dietary habits and overall health. The procedure may be reversed when the desired weight has been achieved. 

2. Duodenal switch

Duodenal switch is a type of surgery that reduces the amount of food your stomach may accommodate. In this way, you eat the same meal but in much smaller quantities. During a duodenal switch, the doctor removes the most stretchable part of your stomach. This may limit the number of calories you absorb significantly. 

Removing the most stretchable part of your stomach will also result in decreased levels of the hormone that makes you feel hunger. This will reduce your appetite. In addition, the food will get to the small intestine faster. This will promote the release of appetite-suppressing glucagon-like hormones. 

3. Intra-gastric balloon

Intra-gastric balloon surgery involves placing a gastric balloon in the patient’s stomach through the mouth. When the balloon is placed in the stomach the doctor fills it with a special saline solution. Thus, your stomach will instantly be partially filled. After the procedure, you feel less hungry and consume less food. However, this procedure is not permanent and the balloon can be left in the stomach for a maximum of 6 months. This procedure allows you to lose about 35-40% of body mass. 

This is a minimally-invasive procedure that is less complicated than other weight-loss surgeries. The recovery period after intra-gastric balloon surgery lasts up to 3 days. Once the body adjusts to the balloon you may return to your normal activity. This procedure may also positively affect health conditions such as sleep apnea, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and arthritis.

4. Gastric bypass

During gastric bypass, the doctor changes your stomach and small intestine. As a result, changes the way your stomach absorbs and digests food. With the help of special surgical staples, the doctor creates a small pouch at the top of the stomach. The rest of the stomach is bypassed by directly connecting the pouch to the small intestine. This reduces the amount of food you need to feel full. 

After gastric bypass surgery, it is important to adhere to a strict diet. Neglecting the diet you may develop a dumping syndrome. This syndrome may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and other digestive disorders.