Stomach surgery is a last resort in the attempt to cure weight loss. You are much better off to get the results from good eating and exercise habits.
Risks
Due to the seriousness of the operation and it's potential side effects
it's only recommended for morbidly obese people. Note the term
morbidly obese refers to people with a greatly increased chance of life
threatening health problems, as a rough guide if your mody mass index
is over 40 then you fit into this category.
Gastric Bypass Surgery
Gastric bypass surgery is one of the more common operations. Having a gastric bypass changes your stomach so that food no longer has to pass through all of the small intestine. Part of your small instestine is bypassed. This means less calories and nutrients will be absorbed from the food and you will also feel full quicker. So you would actually eat less and absorb less calories from the food that you do eat. Of course along with this you'll also be getting less vitamins and minerals.
On average people spend about 2 days in hosptital and take 21 days to return to work (1). So it's certainly not a minor operation.
Studies indicate a typical weight loss of 33% after 1 year with some of the weight coming back on over time but still a 25% total loss after eight years (1, 3).
Lap Band Surgery
This surgery involves placing a silicone band around the stomach to reduce its size. It creates an hour glass shape in the stomach. The upper section of the stomach above the band fills quickly making you feel full faster. Food then slowly moves through the narrowed section where the band has been placed. So you will basically be forced to consume less calories because you will feel too full to continue eating your "normal" amount. This surgery is usually performed laparoscopically which can reduce trauma. No cutting or stapling of the stomach is required so lap band surgery is easier to reverse than other operations with similar effect. On average you can expect to lose 56% of your excess weight (4).
Gastroplasty
Gastoplasty is often referred to as stomach stapling. This surgery is become less popular as it is replaced by the less invasive lap band surgery. Gastrolplasty adversely affects the digestive abilities of the stomach, patients must take care to chew their food carefully. This surgery can also lead to vitamin/mineral deficiences because it promotes the eating of processed foods as natural foods become more difficult to digest after the surgery. Once the operation has been done it is even more involved to reverse it. All of these factors combined with greater chance of complications mean the other options available are better choices.
The information on this page is only an introduction to the types of surgery available. If you are seriously considering surgery you should contact a bariatric physician.
References:
(1.) Annals of Surgery. 232(4):515-529, October 2000
(2.) Colquitt J, Clegg A, Sidhu M, Royle P. Surgery for morbid
obesity (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 4, 2003;
Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
(3.) Torgerson JS, Sjostrom L. The Swedish Obese Subjects (SOS)
study--rationale and results. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 2001; 25
Suppl: S2-S4.
(4.)
Paul E. O'Brien, John B. Dixon.
Journal of Laparoendoscopic & Advanced Surgical Techniques.
August 1, 2003,
13(4): 265-270.
doi:10.1089/109264203322333593.
