Weight Loss Surgery Basics By Beth A. Stevens

Talk to just about anyone you know and more than likely, they're trying to lose weight. Americans spend billions of dollars a year on weight loss products and services ranging from dietary supplements and meal delivery services to gym memberships and personal trainers. While the average American probably could stand to lose a few pounds, there are other people for whom struggles with weight go beyond simply wanting to fit into those skinny jeans. For some, the struggle with obesity is a struggle for their lives. Obesity can have devastating effects on a person's health including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and even some forms of cancer. Not only that, but obesity can make even the most simple daily activities extremely difficult such as driving a car, shopping and running errands. Maintaining a good level of personal hygiene can also become close to impossible. These sorts of limitations have a devastating impact on a personal's emotional and psychological wellbeing. In some cases, surgery is the best hope for an extremely obese person. The following is a rundown on two of the most common types of weight loss surgery.

Lap Band

Chances are, you've probably heard of the lap band, as it's an extremely popular type of weight loss surgery. The lap band procedure places a band around the top of the stomach. This band creates a small pouch that limits food intake and creates a sense of feeling full after only a very small meal. The band is adjustable through a small port that is affixed inside the body.

While weight loss is slower than with other surgical procedures, the lap band has been shown to result in comparable weight loss three to four years following surgery. The lap band has several advantages including a fast recovery, shorter hospital stay, fewer life threatening complications and a lower mortality rate, no malabsorption issues and no cutting or stapling of the stomach. The procedure can be done with minimally invasive surgery. The lap band is also adjustable without surgery and completely reversible. Patients usually lose 50 to 100 pounds the first year after surgery.

The key to successful weight loss post-lap band is to follow a set of rules specifically developed for lap band patients. These rules include exercising 30 minutes daily, eating meals that are only one quarter cup or two ounces in size, only drinking fluids between meals, avoiding junk foods and very fibrous foods, eating three times a day but not between meals, chewing thoroughly and crushing all medication.

Sleeve Gastrectomy

This procedure changes the stomach shape from a pouch into a sleeve, removing two-thirds of the stomach. This smaller stomach size reduces appetite and results in a feeling of fullness more quickly. Sleeve gastrectomy has several advantages and very few disadvantages. The surgery does not require the implantation of a foreign body the way lap band does. Sleeve gastrectomy has less long-term maintenance than the lap band and has more weight loss. There are no malabsorption issues and there is no rerouting of the intestinal tract necessary. The only major disadvantage is a very slight chance of gastric leaks.

It's important to keep in mind that weight loss surgery involves a lifelong commitment to a healthy lifestyle including regular exercise, portion control and a healthy diet. The surgery alone isn't enough to produce the desired results. Most patients who have had weight loss surgery need significant support from family and friends to succeed. However, many patients do succeed quite wonderfully and enjoy an exponentially higher quality of life.

About the Author: Beth A. Stevens is a weight loss expert and contributing writer who enjoys helping people find surgical health experts who can help patients conquer their struggle with obesity.

John Davis recently underwent surgery for DVT.