Custom Search

Bariatric Surgery Q&a - Types Of Surgery Available

Anyone considering a bariatric surgical procedure for weight loss should conduct thorough research into the various types of surgery available.

This is especially important given the constantly advancing nature of the bariatric field of medicine. For example, a new gastric banding product was recently approved for use in the United States. Patients considering weight loss surgery should therefore be aware of:

The various types of surgical procedures available
The success rates associated with each type of surgery
The possible risks associated with each procedure
The average level of weight loss of each type
The costs of the different procedures (and whether insurance will cover it)

Obviously, there is more to learn when considering weight loss surgery, or any other medical treatment for that matter. But these are some of the most important criteria to consider before making any decisions.

The field of bariatrics has become increasingly complex over the years. These days, there are more types of surgery (and variations of each type) than ever before. But we can simplify things by grouping most of these procedures into one of two categories:

Gastric Bypass Procedures - Most people are familiar with this type of weight loss surgery because it has been around the longest. In this procedure, a small portion of the stomach is stapled off, making it essentially unusable. The intestine is then reattached to the smaller portion of the stomach. This reduces the stomach capacity, which in turn leads to weight loss.

Gastric Banding Procedures - With this approach to bariatric surgery, a band is placed around the upper part of the stomach using small incisions and laparoscopic techniques. This accomplishes the same "partition" effect as the gastric bypass, but it does so in a less invasive way. The LAP-BAND System is a popular form of this procedure, and the Realize Band (manufactured by a Johnson and Johnson company) was recently approved for use in the U.S. as well.

In my perspective, the best way to conduct further research into the various forms of bariatric surgery is to start with the two main categories listed above. Learn about the pros and cons of each, the risks associated with them, patient recovery rates, etc. After that, you can get more specific in researching the exact type of procedure you think you might pursue.

By: Brandon R. Cornett

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Brandon Cornett is the publisher of Bariatric Learning Center, an educational website with tips on Dallas bariatric surgery and other cities across the U.S. Learn more by visiting www.bariatriclearningcenter.com

© 2005-2011 Article Dashboard