Weight-loss surgery
Weight-loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, helps to change the function and shape of your digestive system; this surgery supports you in losing weight and managing medical conditions related to obesity, diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, heart disease, and stroke risk factors.
Types
The common types are:
- Gastric band – By placing a band around your stomach, you get restricted from eating much
- Gastric bypass – the upper part of your stomach joins to the small intestine, so you feel fuller momentarily and tend to absorb less as many calories from food
- Sleeve gastrectomy – Part of your stomach gets removed, so it makes you eat less than before, and you’ll feel full sooner
All the operations mentioned above can lead to effective weight loss within a few years, but each has its advantages and disadvantages.
If you’re thinking of weight loss surgery, talk to a surgeon about the types of weight loss surgery available to suggest you choose which is best for you.
Medical guidelines
The body mass index (BMI) is the base for weight-loss surgery under general medical guidelines. A BMI formula uses weight and height to calculate body fat.
Weight-loss surgery is an option for adults with a BMI of forty (40) or higher.
The surgery can be an option for an adult who encounters these three conditions:
- BMI of thirty-five (35) or higher
- Having at least one obesity-related medical condition
- At least gone through six months of supervised weight-loss attempts
In some instances, weight-loss surgery may be an option for adolescents.
The guidelines include the following:
- BMI of forty (40) or higher and any obesity-related medical condition
- BMI of thirty-five (35) or higher
- Have gone through a severe obesity-related medical condition
Life aftermath of weight loss surgery
Weight loss surgery can attain surprising weight loss, but it’s not a cure for obesity.
You’ll have to commit to making permanent lifestyle changes to prevent putting weight back on.
You’ll need to:
- Change your diet- have a balanced diet
- Exercise regularly
- Follow regular checkups
After undergoing weight loss surgery, women must postpone getting pregnant for the first 12 to 18 months.
Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 04 October 2022