Bariatric Surgery

Weight-loss surgery

In some cases, weight-loss surgery, also called bariatric surgery, is an option. Weight-loss surgery limits the amount of food you’re able to comfortably eat or decreases the absorption of food and calories or both. While weight-loss surgery offers the best chance of losing the most weight, it can pose serious risks. Weight-loss surgery for obesity may be considered if you have tried other methods to lose weight that haven’t worked and:

• You have extreme obesity (BMI of 37.5 or higher)
• Your BMI is 32.5 to 37.5, and you also have a serious weight-related health problem, such as diabetes or high blood pressure
• You’re committed to making the lifestyle changes that are necessary for surgery to work It doesn’t guarantee that you’ll lose all of your excess weight or that you’ll keep it off long term. Weight-loss success after surgery depends on your commitment to making lifelong changes in your eating and exercise habits.

Common weight-loss surgeries include:

• Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass Surgery: In this surgery, the surgeon creates a small pouch at the top of your stomach. The small intestine is then connected to the new pouch. Food and liquid flow directly from the pouch into this part of the intestine, bypassing most of your stomach.
• Laparoscopic Mini-gastric Bypass : In gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass), the surgeon creates a small pouch at the top of your stomach. The small intestine is then cut a short distance below the main stomach and connected to the new pouch. Food and liquid flow directly from the pouch into this part of the intestine, bypassing most of your stomach.
• Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastractomy: In this procedure, part of the stomach is removed, creating a smaller reservoir for food. It means, the surgeon removes approximately 85% of the stomach, shaping the remaining stomach into a tube or “sleeve”. 

Other treatments

Vagal nerve blockade is another treatment for obesity. It involves implanting a device under the skin of the abdomen that sends intermittent electrical pulses to the abdominal vagus nerve, which tells the brain when the stomach feels empty or full. This new technology received FDA approval in 2014 but long term data is unavailable at this point of time .

Preventing weight regain after obesity treatment

Unfortunately, it’s common to regain weight no matter what obesity treatment methods you try. If you take weight-loss medications, you’ll probably regain weight when you stop taking them. You might even regain weight after weight-loss surgery if you continue to overeat or overindulge in high-calorie foods. But that doesn’t mean your weight-loss efforts are futile. One of the best ways to prevent regaining the weight you’ve lost is to get regular physical activity. Aim for 60 minutes a day. Keep track of your physical activity if it helps you stay motivated and on course. As you lose weight and gain better health, talk to your doctor about what additional activities you might be able to do and, if appropriate, how to give your activity and exercise a boost. You may always have to remain vigilant about your weight. Combining a healthier diet and more activity in a practical and sustainable manner are the best ways to keep the weight you lost off for the long term. Take your weight loss and weight maintenance one day at a time and surround yourself with supportive resources to help ensure your success. Find a healthier way of living that you can stick with for the long term.