Around 30% of people in this country are now considered obese. This doesn’t count those who are overweight and heading towards obesity. This epidemic affects the physical and mental health and wellbeing of millions of people. The health risks associated with being overweight or obese are significant. They include an increased risk of cancer, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, arthritis, and breathing problems.
Can it Be Controlled?
Obesity has long been seen as proof that people are gluttonous. While it is true that eating too much and not moving enough, changing this is not always the answer. Sometimes, people simply become too heavy and big to be able to make those changes. For these people, medical procedures may be required, including weight loss surgery.
The Types of Weight Loss Surgery
There are many different types of weight loss surgery options out there, but the two most common are the lap band and the gastric bypass. These are two very different procedures and both have specific advantages and disadvantages. Hence, you have to make sure that you research both properly.
The Gastric Bypass
With a gastric bypass, a number of steps can be involved, including:
- Stapling the stomach, thereby shrinking it.
- Bypassing some of the intestines and most of the stomach.
- Creating a smaller stomach pouch and surgically attaching the intestines to it.
With a gastric bypass, people simply cannot eat as much anymore. Plus, because the intestine is shorter, they also can’t absorb the same amount of nutrients.
The advantages include:
- Very rapid weight loss.
- A successful patient history.
- A higher overall weight loss.
The disadvantages are also serious however, and include:
- It is a very invasive procedure.
- The chance of complications is significantly increased.
- Malnutrition is common.
- Most people suffer from dumping syndrome for some time.
- The mortality rate is higher than with other weight loss procedures.
The Lap Band
With a lap band, an adjustable band is placed around the stomach. This stops the stomach from being able to hold as much food, as it is being restricted. Plus, it takes longer for the food to enter the intestines. The procedure stops people from eating as much and also helps the body to slow down digestion. People also have a significantly reduced appetite. However, the procedure does not stop the body from absorbing nutrients in food, as the intestines are not affected.
The advantages to lap band surgery are very clear:
- It is a minimally invasive procedure.
- The band is adjustable to suit a person’s needs.
- The procedure is fully reversible.
- The risk of malnutrition is much lower.
- The mortality rate is ten times lower than with a gastric bypass, making it much safer.
However, lap band procedures also have significant disadvantages, including:
- Weight loss is much slower than with a gastric bypass.
- Many follow-up visits are required.
- There is a chance of the band slipping or leaking.
As you can see, there are pros and cons to both options. This is why you should listen to your physician and consider their recommendation.