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Important Information Related To Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery Houston Residents Need To Have

By Andrew Miller


Bariatric surgery is any operation that is performed with the aim of achieving weight loss. It is an option that is considered when lifestyle modification has proved in effective in achieving the same. There are three main types of surgeries that fall under this category. They include lap bad gastric surgery, gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy. If they wish to undergo bariatric weight loss surgery Houston residents need to know a number of things beforehand.

Gastric banding is the most preferred of the three options. One of the reasons why this is so is the fact that it is the only one that is reversible. This is because no form of cutting is done on the stomach. The other major advantage it has is that the side effects are few and fairly easy to control. In the procedure, an instrument known as a laparoscope is used to place a silicon band on the stomach so as to reduce its size.

The modern techniques gain entry into the abdomen using minimal access methods. This has largely been facilitated by use of an instrument known as a laparoscope. Such techniques have led to fewer complications and faster recovery times. The main side effects that may be experienced after the lap band procedure include infections, nausea and vomiting. In the long term, the scars are smaller and less prominent.

Sleeve gastrectomy is more invasive than banding. It entails the conversion of the stomach into a tubular structure by removing as much as 80%. The result looks like a sleeve (hence the name). With such a huge reduction, the amount of food that one can consume in one sitting is also markedly reduced. Weight loss occurs due to reduced food intake and reduced absorption of what is consumed.

Other than the reduction in the amount of food that is consumed (due to faster filling and early satiety), weight loss also occurs due to a reduction in the transit time of food. Reduced transit time means that there is very little time available for the absorption of nutrients. Most of what is absorbed is used to generate energy rather than for storage as fat or protein. Weight loss will be seen after a few weeks.

Common side effects that may be encountered include leakage of food and bleeding. Bleeding is usually minor in most cases and resolves spontaneously with time. Food leakage, is in contrast, more serious and requires surgical intervention. Other possible complications include damage to vital structures, vomiting, deep venous thrombosis and esophageal spasms among others. The complications notwithstanding, the use of this type of surgery has continued to increase in recent times.

The most radical option is gastric bypass surgery. In this type of operation, the stomach is first re-sectioned and the lower part removed. The remaining upper portion (fundus) is stitched to the last part of the intestines, bypassing two other parts in the process. The effect of all this is a reduction in the surface area that is available for absorption of nutrients which in turn leads to weight loss.

You need to talk to your doctor to see whether any other options of weight loss can be used in your case before you decide to have surgery. It is only after the non-surgical options have proven ineffective that surgical operations should be considered. There is a need to make lifestyle changes after the operation so as to maximize on the benefits.




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