There are many reasons why gaining weight is easy and losing weight is hard. Losing weight, on the one hand, is not easy because not all bodies are designed for exercising. The same is true for diets because not all diet plans are suitable for everybody. Luckily, weight loss surgery options are now available for people who want to lose weight.
So here in this article, we provide an insight into the newest weight loss surgery options that we have known thus far, and find out which one you will decide to spend your money on.
About Weight loss surgery
Weight loss surgery also called Bariatric surgery[1] is a great option significantly for people who find traditional methods difficult to lose weight. This type of surgery is mostly recommended to people who are currently experiencing severe obesity or have a body mass index of 30 or more. The procedure involves a step that makes the stomach smaller.
These new weight loss surgery options offer minimal to no-incision effect and no need to hospitalize as well. Those traditional surgeries only cater to patients experiencing severe obesity or a body mass index of 40. As a result, new weight loss surgery options can be a first-line treatment or as a secondary treatment. It can be a great alternative to people failing the qualifications to undergo other weight-loss surgeries.
Weight loss surgery options
Adjustable Gastric Banding
Obesity is a big concern either for males or females who have a detrimental impact on our lives and health. Researches have found out one of the weight loss surgery for obesity called Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding, or gastric banding. This surgery is approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Adjustable Gastric Banding is also less invasive, no intestine redirection, and no risk of nutritional deficiency happening.
In this process, the upper pouch of the stomach is ringed by a belt-like band made of silicon. It can be readjusted by using a licensed physician to add or remove saline from the band. This procedure can change the size of the stomach and decrease food consumption.
People who have a BMI of 30 or more can qualify for this procedure. However, gastric binding won’t work alone after the procedure, and doctors should monitor the food intake. Doctors recommend eating liquid food or puree in the first post-surgery week. Nonetheless, the effect of gastric binding might take time so that it is important to remember the post-surgery care and avoid re-operation.
Sleeve Gastrectomy
Doctors apply sleeve gastrectomy or Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy surgery for promoting weight loss without leaving foreign objects internally. It is beneficial to reduce the risk of heart disease, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, and even high blood pressure.
The process is performed laparoscopically or through the insertion of the tube called a bougie. The bougie goes from the esophagus to the stomach. The incision can remove the remaining 75% of the stomach vertically. As the result, there is a decrease in the size of the stomach for smaller food space.
Compared to adjustable gastric banding, this surgery type is irreversible, which means it is a lifetime change of lifestyle. The sleeve gastrectomy is a rapid and effective weight loss surgery. However, due to the decreased size of the stomach, possible nutrition deficiency might happen.
Gastric Bypass Surgery
Gastric Bypass Surgery is the most common option of weight loss surgery. It is a procedure that reduces food consumption by realigning the digestive system. This surgery can reduce weight by about 60 to 80%, according to studies. However, strict qualification is in need before executing the process. Although Gastric bypass can be reversible, it only applies complicated conditions.
The process of gastric bypass surgery involves the alteration of the stomach and small intestines. The food here changes to another direction, and the stomach won’t store food anymore.
After gastric bypass surgery, we should pay attention to post-care. Since food is passing only on the esophagus and goes directly to the small intestine, the possibility of low calories and malabsorption is high. This surgery works efficiently on dramatic weight loss, as well as obesity-associated disease prevention. Highly recommend for the patients to take vitamins after surgery to fill the gap of their mineral deficiency.
Vagal Blockade or Vloc
The vagal blockade or vBloc therapy uses a device called Maestro Rechargeable System[2], which blocks hunger signals to the brain. Vagus nerve or X cranial nerve is the nerve that runs from the brain up to the abdomen. It is responsible as to why the brain knows hunger and fullness.
The vagal blockade is located near the stomach, although the placement doesn’t require any major surgery, unlike sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass, the vBloc is reversible and can be detached anytime by the physician. The FDA allows only people who have a BMI of 40 to 45 and fail in using traditional weight-loss programs to have this weight loss surgery.
Biliopancreatic Diversion
Biliopancreatic diversion is a procedure that changes the size of the stomach that leads to minimal food consumption. There are two categories in this method: biliopancreatic diversion and the biliopancreatic diversion involving duodenal switch. Unluckily, this is not reversible and requires the patient to take supplements and vitamins for life to avoid the risk of nutritional deficiency.
This procedure includes the creation of a new stomach pouch that is a third of the original size of the stomach. The remaining portion of the stomach is eliminated. The new pouch will be attaching to the small intestine at the end of the stomach. In addition, the biliopancreatic diversion involving a duodenal switch is a combination of sleeve gastrectomy and intestinal bypass.
The ideal candidate for this procedure is someone who has a BMI of 50 or more. Compared to other weight loss surgery options, a patient who has biliopancreatic diversion loses up to 75 to 80 percent of excess weight, and obesity-related conditions.
Gastric Balloon/Intragastric Balloon System
An intragastric balloon system is a less invasive weight loss surgery option putting a saline-filled silicone ball inside the stomach. The intragastric balloon helps the stomach to consume less food.
This great option is for those who want no removal or realignment of organs in the digestive system. However, the method forces its patients to reach the standard BMI rate at 30, which means they have to follow a strict diet to lead a healthy lifestyle. After the procedure, adverse effects like nausea and abdominal cramps can happen within the first week of post-surgery.
AspireAssist™
While the other bariatric surgery requires high BMI and reshapes the stomach that leads to lifetime nutritional deficiency, the innovative AspireAssist is FDA-approved, reversible, and non-surgical. The whole procedure uses a device placed inside the stomach through the small incision. The incision is connected to the valve outside the belly and works as drainage to pump the food out of the stomach and get rid of the unwanted fats and calories.
Through AspireAssist™, foods are digested regularly without worrying about malabsorption and food satisfaction. You can use this new weight loss surgery option to connect in the valve to start emptying your stomach as you excrete waste onto the toilet.
Weight loss is time-consuming and vigorous and can sometimes hinder your usual life activities. When the device adjusts on the skin, it allows the person to do activities such as swimming. The AspireAssist may help people to change their food habits significantly as they see their food coming out. The device is also a great alternative to reduce unwanted calories without compromising the other nutrients that your body needs.
In contrast, it’s worth mentioning that the device and the procedure are approved only for 22 years old and older, and with a BMI of 35 or more. People who experience food disorders are not allowed to participate as well. With the intervention of healthy foods and sanitization, the risk in AspireAssist is low.
Final thought
Obesity happens when either complicated genetic conditions or excessive food consumption complicate, and we get why many of you want to lose weight quickly through surgeries. It’s also better to consider those procedures as long as you qualify. They also have an impalpable advantage specifically in reducing health-related complications caused by obesity. However, all surgeries present risks brought by the lack of preparation or improper post-surgery care. We recommend that you provide necessary caution before trying out any of the mentioned surgeries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bariatric surgeon would most likely say that it’s gastric plication. It is one of the safest forms of weight loss surgery. It’s minimally invasive, it’s reversible, and it’s one of the safer forms of bariatric surgery out there.
You are qualified for weight loss surgery if you are extremely overweight and if you are suffering negative health consequences from being overweight. A good indicator of this would be a BMI of 40 or above or high blood pressure and diabetes.
Many insurance companies cover weight loss surgeries. Some of them include Cigna, Aetna, Tricare Anthem, and Blue Shield.
A weight loss surgery is a life-altering procedure. It will take some time before you’re ready to do your daily activities normally, let alone work! Normally people will be able to work after a few weeks but some people even can take up to a month a half.