The term bariatric surgery St Louis refers to several different types of weight loss procedures. There are risks and benefits unique to each type of procedure, and not all of them are right for everyone. Ask your physician if you are wondering which one, if any, might be appropriate for you.
The most common and first procedure to be perfected is the gastric bypass. In this procedure, two different processes are completed. The first trims the stomach to a small size, usually holding about an ounce. The second part of the process relocates the opening of the stomach farther down the small intestine, which reduces the amount of nutrients you can absorb from it.
Sleeve gastrectomies work in a similar manner to bypasses, except that they do not relocate the opening of the stomach to the small intestine. The pouch is also made in a slightly different manner, and is somewhat larger. A sleeve gastrectomy creates a small stomach by removing everything but a narrow tube of the stomach that connects the esophagus to the intestines.
Bypass is a very effective procedure, and is very common for this reason. But it has more serious side effects than the other options, because of the possibility for malnutrition due to reduced absorption of some nutrients. A special diet is often required for life. The gastric sleeve option produces slower and less complete weight loss, but with fewer complications.
The only option that is reversible, gastric banding is becoming increasingly popular. This process uses an inflatable silicone tube to bind the top of the stomach apart from the rest, creating a small pouch. When this pouch fills, the person feels full. The band can be adjusted without surgery, and is safer to have placed because there are fewer incisions needed. But recent evidence shows that it might not be as effective as the other options.
Responsible doctors and most insurance companies will only consider you a possible candidate if you have a BMI of more than 40, or at least 35 and are struggling with one or more weight-related condition. Some unscrupulous doctors will provide surgeries for thinner patients, but this is generally frowned upon. A history of struggling with weight, and a documented attempt to lose it in some other manner are usually also prerequisites for the procedure.
All surgeries come with inherent risks, and people considering bariatric surgery St Louis should be sure they know what these are before making a decision. Having realistic expectations is also important, as the average result is a weight loss of 50-80% of the patient’s excess weight, which leaves many not reaching a ‘normal’ weight. However, this amount of loss is generally highly beneficial in terms of health and quality of life.
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