Surgery is the most effective treatment for obesity

Weight loss surgery also known as bariatric surgery is the most effective way of treating obesity. When compared with diet, exercise or treatment with tablets to help weight loss, obesity surgery has been shown to produce greater degrees of weight loss.
Bariatric surgery is highly recommended for people who have a body mass index of 40 or mere.

How does surgery help lose weight?

•  The surgical procedure may prevent you from eating too much food.
• The operation may change the way that your body handles the food that you eat. For example; bypassing part of your digestive tract.
• Combination of both of the above methods.

What are the different types of surgical procedures available?

Lap band surgery

This is also known as laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. This is the most common type of procedure done in many parts of the world.

During this procedure, a special adjustable band is placed around the upper part of the stomach, dividing your stomach into two.

The upper part of the stomach above the band is smaller in size. So that you feel full with a very small meal.
The band can be adjusted to vary the size of the upper pouch. The procedure is completely reversible as the band can be removed anytime.

Gastric bypass surgery

This procedure is also known as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. during this operation, the stomach is divided into two creating a small upper pouch. a part of the small bowel is then connected to this pouch. This means, food bypasses the main part of your stomach and upper part of the small intestine.

Read more about gastric bypass surgery

Sleeve gastrectomy

During this procedure, part of your stomach is removed so that you are left with a small part of your stomach. After this surgery, you can only eat a small meal. That will greatly reduce your calorie intake and make you loose weight.

This procedure is uncommon nowadays and  is irreversible.

Am I eligible for surgical treatment?

If you have morbid obesity or at risk of overweight related complications, you may be eligible for surgical treatment to reduce your body weight.

General eligibility criteria for weight loss surgery

• Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or more
• Body mass index of 35-40 and obesity-related health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnoea.
• Already tried all other ways of losing weight for at least six months with no success.
• And you are medically fit to undergo the procedure

You may not be eligible for bariatric surgery if

• You are under 18 years or over 65 years
• You have serious health issues such as severe heart failure
• You have untreated hormonal disorders such as Cushing's disease or under active thyroid
• You have severe psychiatric disorder or cognitive deficiency
• You are not committed for regular follow-up 

Want a long term solution for your weight problem? Talk to your doctor about the available options.