The number of people who suffer from obesity has reached epic proportions. The percentages of overweight people compared to those that are fit are staggering, and even more so alarming is the rise of obesity in children. Possibly the only good thing about seeing this occur at a younger age is that time is on their side and there are so many different options that are available to help them lose weight. With proper guidance and good motivation it’s possible for a younger person to get their body and their health back on track, if they do not have an overwhelmingly large amount of weight to lose. The bigger the problem however, the more a person may need to pursue some of the more extreme options that are available to correct different obesity related health issues. One of these options is a procedure known as bariatric surgery.
Bariatric surgery has become increasingly more popular as an alternative to diet and exercise, and is seen as more of a quick fix. The question is, is bariatric surgery a viable option in the fight against obesity? To answer this question, let’s first take a look at the types of different options available in bariatric surgery.
Gastric Lap Banding is a stomach operation that is used in the fight against morbid obesity, and cases where obesity is causing problems with the functions of everyday life. A band is placed around the stomach to create a smaller stomach. The person will no longer feel as if they need to eat a lot to get that feeling of being full, which subsequently will cause them to want to eat less. Once in place, the band can be adjusted or even removed. The downside of this operation is that the procedure can open up a whole new set of problems and side effects, including diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, nausea, and gastric reflux.
A Vertical Banded Gastroplasty, or VBG, is an option that is commonly known as having your stomach stapled. This forms a small pouch that restricts that amount of food that the stomach can hold. The risk of complications down the road is there, but isn’t extremely likely. Reversing the process though is much more difficult than having the procedure performed to begin with.
Lastly there is the bariatric surgery known as Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, and it is the most commonly performed of the three types. It also involves the stapling of the stomach, and is usually performed through laparoscopic surgery. Laparoscopic surgery isn’t as invasive as others, and due to being more gentle on the body it allows for a faster healing time.
The bottom line here is that if you are considering bariatric surgery, most doctors would agree that it is a last gasp measure used in fighting extreme obesity. Although it can certainly improve your quality of life, the risks may outweigh the rewards depending on your situation.