Understanding the basics of weight loss surgery

Updated on January 29, 2020
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If you are planning to get a bariatric surgery that involves you losing weight can be quite a task. If you are suffering from obesity and want to cut some of the weight down, then it can be suitable under some circumstances. Although the first thing you should do to cut down your weight is to eat healthily and reduce your weight through exercise under some scenarios where the diet is not working, or you are facing certain health issues, you should get surgery to reduce your weight. There are several options available, which you can use to reduce your weight such as lap band surgery Sydney which will make you look normal and feel healthy as you have your weight reduced. However, you should know that getting prepared for the surgery can take some time which can even go up to several months. You being prepared beforehand will help you to feel relaxed before the surgery takes place. Doing so will help you to properly recover after the surgery has taken place and there are some things which you should do before the surgery such as showing your medicines to the doctor and trying to lose 10 percent of your body weight naturally. There are different types of surgeries, which are mentioned below so that you can choose one that suits you. 

1.     Laparoscopic Surgery:

It is a type of surgery in which the surgeon will make several cuts within your body and insert thin surgical tools inside it. After the cuts are made into the abdomen, carbon dioxide and a transmitter are fit into the abdomen which shows images to the surgeon about what is going on inside your body. This allows the surgeon to perform the same operation which he would do with a normal surgery but with the surgical tools which are inserted into your body. A major advantage of conducting this surgery is that patients usually feel less pain and scarring while their recovery time is also much quicker compared to the normal surgery. You do not need to worry about your safety since the procedure takes all the necessary safety measures which are necessary before the operation. However, the personal health of the patient and other medical conditions can also play a certain role during the strategy. 

2.     Laparoscopic Gastric Band:

This is a kind of surgery that puts a ring along with an internal inflatable band at the top of the abdomen in order to develop a small pouch. Doing it will make you full despite consuming only a small meal. There is a small circular band that is fitted inside the pouch and is contained with a salt solution. However, the opening of the pouch can be altered by the surgeon according to your need as the solution can be injected or removed with a small object which is known as a port and is placed in the skin. After the surgery is completed, you would have to visit the doctor a few times so that the size of your pouch can be adjusted. However, you need to measure your weight for some time since if your weight is not reduced or it is causing some issues, then the surgeon may remove it from your body. 

3.     Gastric Sleeve:

It is a surgery that involves a complex process in which a surgeon eradicates most part of the stomach. Although it would feel like an ordeal affair, the surgeon leaves a portion that is banana-shaped, and it is patched up with staples. This surgery simply removes the amount of food that can fit into your stomach hence reducing your capacity to consume food. However, this surgery does come with its risk since it will reduce the size of your stomach, and it may affect other body functions such as your hormones and bacteria which resides inside your stomach. 

4.     Gastric Bypass:

This is a surgery that can be divided into two parts. In the initial phase, the surgeon will staple your stomach while creating a small pouch in the upper region which will reduce your ability to consume food. In the next stage, the surgeon will slit your small intestine and attach the lower part of it to the stomach pouch. The result is that food will diverge the majority of your stomach and the upper region of your intestine and which will make sure that your body absorbs fewer calories into your bloodstream. However, you do not need to worry about digestion since the bypassed section is already connected with your stomach so the digestive juices will still be able to pass into your intestine. However, that cannot be said about the hormones which are present in your stomach, and it may affect your body functions. However, the important thing to remember is that although it will be a difficult task, an expert surgeon can reverse this process. 

5.     Duodenal Switch:

Such type of surgery is quite different from other types of surgeries. It involves dual separate surgeries that occur at different stages. The first stage is quite similar to the surgery of gastric sleeve, which is mentioned above in the article. However, the difference occurs during the second surgery where the surgeon will redirect the food to avoid the majority of the small intestine and attach it to the last part, which will allow the digestive juices to mix with your food. This surgery comes with its problems since it is quite risky to perform and the chances of complications to occur are significantly higher compared to other types of surgeries that are mentioned above. Another thing that you should know is that this surgery can cause a chemical imbalance in your body such as a shortage of vitamins, proteins, and minerals into your body, which is one of the reasons why surgeons hesitate to perform this surgery. However, the good thing about this surgery is that it will help you to reduce your weight at a fast rate. 

Conclusion:

To conclude, there are several types of surgeries that you can opt for if you want to reduce your weight with an operation. However, you must look at your health and your body shape. You should consult your doctor before you decide to have the surgery and discuss with him about the pros and cons of each surgery and which will suit you the best in case you decide to go for the operation. However, the last thing to know is that you must always go to a specialist so that the chances of complications to occur are reduced.  

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