Roughly 133.6 million Americans are overweight or obese, according to the National Institutes of Health. Typically, a healthy diet and getting increased physical exercise are the recommended courses of action to take to lose weight. For some individuals who are severely overweight, considering a weight loss surgery could be the necessary action to take. Bariatric surgery, also called gastric bypass, or Lap Band surgery are typically the two most widely recommended procedures for obese patients.
Significance
Millions of people struggle with their weight, especially in recent years. According to the Mayo Clinic, diet and exercise are often successful in helping people lose weight, but for the heaviest individuals, weight loss surgery is widely recommended. Both medical procedures will result in a substantial reduction in food intake and that in turn will help contribute to lasting weight loss.
Function
Both the Lap Band surgery and bariatric surgery will drastically shrink the size of the stomach, which leads to a decline in food intake. The Mayo Clinic says that because food is not entering the digestive system as it used to do, weight loss will begin almost immediately following the procedure. The bariatric surgery will surgically staple the stomach and the size will be shrunk to a small portion. The Lap Band surgery will result in a band restricting the size of the stomach and reducing the capacity to hold food. After several months, following each surgery, the stomach will gradually increase in size, but not to the extent that it was before the procedure.
Time Frame
According to Central Dupage Hospital, both types of weight loss surgeries will result in long-term weight loss, although it can vary. With bariatric or gastric bypass, patients will see a 60 percent to 80 percent reduction of their excess weight over the course of 12 to 18 months. Lap Band patients should see a 36 percent to 60 percent of their extra pounds come off of their bodies over one to two years.
Effects
The effects of a weight loss surgery can be felt by the patient almost right away. Individuals notice that their appetites are less than before, principally because the stomach can only hold a fraction of what it used to. Weight will begin to come off and any related medical ailments, associated with obesity, will begin to improve or go away. Sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes are often widely reports in people who are overweight, so undergoing a weight loss procedure can help these symptoms improve, says WMBF News.
Considerations
Before undergoing a weight loss surgery, your doctor will have to determine if you would qualify as a candidate for a procedure, due to the extreme nature of it. Even after a person has gastric bypass or a Lap Band surgery, the patient still has a long road ahead of them. A strict diet is enforced the first few months and doctors widely encourage patients to get physical activity when possible. Despite this extra boost for a person trying to lose weight, a lot of hard work will remain for them to do. Another thing to keep in mind is the costs associated with the procedures. The Lap Band surgery costs anywhere from $17,000 to $30,000 depending on the location and the doctor, while the gastric bypass surgery costs anywhere from $20,000 to $25,000 on average. Medical insurance companies may provide some coverage for the procedures, but it varies from policy to policy.
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