Weight Loss Surgery

Losing weight and maintaining a slim figure is hard for most people. If you have tried every diet available, and toughed it out through all the available exercise regimes, then weight loss surgery may well be an option to consider.

Weight loss surgery has become increasingly popular in recent years, and the surgery has now become more straightforward because surgeons can perform keyhole surgery instead of the invasive procedures. Obesity surgery involves reducing or partially bypassing the stomach and/or small intestine. 

If you have a small amount of weight to lose, then weight loss surgery is probably not appropriate as you will need to have a considerable amount of weight to lose to even be considered for weight loss surgery. There are a set of guidelines from the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) which you must meet in order to qualify for weight loss surgery, including being over 18 years old, and having a BMI (Body Mass Index) of over 40. If you have a BMI of over 35 and suffer from a medical condition such as high blood pressure then weight loss surgery may well be an option for you.

As well as meeting certain weight criteria, you should also be able to demonstrate that you have tried all other conventional methods of weight loss. You should also be able to demonstrate that you are sufficiently motivated to make the appropriate changes to your lifestyle and diet to ensure good, long term results.  

Weight Loss Surgery - The Risks  

Surgery is not without risks and if you ever have any form of operation or procedure, you will be aware that complications can happen. Your surgeon will discuss this in depth with you before you choose to progress with the surgery. The main problems include the difficulties in administering anaesthetics with overweight people, as well as the small risks of bleeding and the increased chances of blood clots.

Weight Loss Surgery - Options Available

There are numerous options available for individuals considering weight loss surgery, and there are two main surgical types, and one non-surgical option. These are gastric banding, gastric bypass and the BIB intragastric balloon.

In gastric banding, a band is placed around your stomach, which limits the amount of food you can eat. Gastric banding is easily reversed, but you will need to visit the clinic more often as your band will need retightening. A gastric bypass also means an operation, but it is more permanent. In this surgery a small pouch is created and then the food by-passes much of your stomach and small intestine leading to gradual weight loss. 

The BIB Intragastric balloon is a non-surgical alternative, where a balloon is passed down your throat, and into your stomach. These balloons tend to be filled with air, or increasingly a saline solution. The effect of the BIB Intragastric balloon is to leave the individual feeling full, therefore eating less food.