What Potential Candidates Should Know About Weight Loss Surgery

The decision to have weight loss surgery is a very serious. There are several types of procedures from which one may choose. The best choice often depends on many factors, including one's goals, the preference of the surgeon, one's current health and which surgeries, if any are covered by one's insurance.

While there are several popular types of weight loss surgery commonly used today, all work in one of two ways. Restrictive surgeries reduce the size of the stomach and help to slow digestion of food. Restrictive-malabsorptive surgeries both limit the stomach size and remove part of the digestive track to reduce absorption of calories. While malabsorptive surgeries were once done with the restrictive, they are considered too dangerous and not used today.

Before the surgery, the surgeon may require the patient undergo several tests. These include a clearance form a cardiologist, a gallbladder screening, an upper GI and a psychological exam. These tests are to ensure the safety of the patient while undergoing surgery. If the gallbladder test reveals a problem, the surgeon will likely remove the gallbladder whine the abdomen is open.

While the surgeries are helpful in losing up to 50% of one's body weight, there are some side effects. Restrictive surgeries can cause vomiting. Malabsorptive surgeries can cause problems absorbing needed nutrients and can lead to anemia.

The patient must continue to follow his or her eating plan to continue to lose weight and maintain the weight loss. Many patients find they gain most of the weight back within a few years unless they continue to work at maintaining the gains. Many find that a bariatric surgery support group is helpful in maintaining their new weight.

Often patients find they must have a subsequent surgery to remove excess skin once they lose weight. This skin can form a hanging apron that leads to skin infections if not removed. Often patients find their insurance may not cover this procedure and it must be paid out of pocket. For many patients the second surgery is more painful than the first.

Weight loss surgery is considered a very invasive procedure. Many individuals find similar results from a liquid hcg diet which does not require surgery. Such diets help to reduce the appetite for food so the patient is able to survive by while reducing calories significantly. In addition to changes in eating habits, any attempt at losing weight should include an exercise program.