As a significant part of your health, weight affects the quality of life you can live. When you are overweight, you know precisely how weight affects your life. However, some effects are still hidden underneath. They will usually reel their ugly heads when you are at some scary BMI readings. You can take steps to reduce your weight, like dieting and exercise, but they can still fail.
When you are at a point where you are obese and still gaining weight despite all other efforts, you need some intervention. Surgeons can provide surgical options at this point. The surgical options available for weight loss work in several different ways. The surgeon's option for you will depend on how your body behaves and responds to food intake.
Why Do You Need Surgery for Your Obesity?
Weight loss surgery, also called bariatric surgery, is meant to help you lose weight and avoid potentially dangerous health issues. Some of the conditions that may develop due to obesity are:
Sleep apnea.
Cardiovascular conditions and stroke.
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Type 2 diabetes.
Who Qualifies for the Procedure?
Because bariatric surgery is a major surgery, it is only an option when the situation is dire. You may qualify for the procedure if:
You have extreme obesity or a BMI (body mass index) of 40 or above.
If you have obesity or have a BMI of 35 to 39.9 and have critical health conditions like hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or extreme sleep apnea.
If you have a BMI between 30 to 34 and you have developed severe weight-related issues.
As bariatric surgery is a major surgery, you must undergo extensive screening before you qualify. You will also need to be mentally prepared to make major changes in your lifestyle to live healthily. Moreover, you will need to prepare to commit to regular health checkups after the surgery. These are meant to monitor your health, nutrition, and lifestyle.
Options for Weight Loss Surgery
Bariatric surgery is an umbrella term for three primary surgery options that alter the nature of your digestive system. Every type has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
Gastric Bypass
Gastric bypass, specifically Roux-en-Y, is one of the most common weight loss surgeries. It is a permanent procedure that reduces the amount of food you can eat and the nutrients your body absorbs.
Sleeve Gastrectomy
In this procedure, surgeons remove almost 80 percent of your stomach, leaving a smaller banana-like pouch. It drastically reduces the amount of food you can eat and ghrelin production. Ghrelin is the hormone that helps regulate your appetite. The surgery leaves you feeling hungry less often and eating much less to get full.
Biliopancreatic Diversion With Duodenal Switch
This is a complex two-part procedure, where the first part is similar to a sleeve surgery. In the second part of the procedure, the surgeon connects the duodenum to the last part of the small intestines. It limits consumption and absorption simultaneously.
For more options for surgical treatment for obesity, visit the Laparoscopic Surgical Center of New York at our office in New York, New York. Call (212) 879-6677 to book an appointment today.
