Obesity becomes alarming when it becomes responsible for the onset of life threatening diseases like cardiovascular diseases, type-2 diabetes, cancer of colon, gall bladder, uterus, reproductive problems, infertility, and other less fatal diseases like arthritis, breathing problems like sleep apnea, asthma etc.
If a person is morbidly obese, say a BMI of more than 40, and has several health risks owing to his obesity, such a person can go for bariatric surgery. BMI stands for the body mass index, the proportionate value of a person's height to his weight. A morbidly obese person is an extremely obese person who can not resort to any method to lose his weight. All sorts of conventional weight loss tactics fall flat in the case of a morbidly obese person. A person can choose this method to lose weight only if he has a BMI of 40 and above with 100 pounds overweight in case of a man and 80 pounds overweight in case of a woman.
Weight loss surgeries are collectively known by the name 'bariatric surgery.' Bariatric surgery is actually derived from two Greek words meaning, 'weight' and 'treatment'. 'Bariatrics' is the field of medicine that specializes in treating obesity. Bariatric surgeries are done to promote effective weight loss. The noteworthy fact is that bariatric surgery is the extreme step to check weight. It should be done only when the lifestyle changes, dietary changes, exercises etc. can not at all help in the weight reduction. Bariatric surgeries can be of many types. Some of the most common types of weight loss surgeries are as follows:
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Liposuction: Liposuction is a cosmetic way to reframe the body contours. It is also called lipoplasty or suction lipectomy. During the process of liposuction a softening substance is released into the body to soften the fat cells of the fatty area. After this a tube is inserted into that particular area to suck out the fat from the body. Liposuction is meant for the removal of localized body fat on any particular part of the body. Liposuction is generally done for removing the fat deposits of the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, arms, back, neck or face. But like every surgery liposuction has also some of its advantages and disadvantages. Advantages:
- Treats body parts that are resistant to dieting and exercise
- General anesthesia is not required
- Minimal blood loss
- Rapid recovery
- Minimal scars
Disadvantages:
Like any other surgery involves:
- Bruises
- Pain
- Swelling
- Expensive surgical costs
Roux-en- Y Gastric Bypass (RGB): Gastric bypass weight loss operations are perhaps the most common of the weight loss surgeries practiced in the US . In this particular kind of surgery the stomach pouch is stapled to create a smaller stomach pouch to lessen the absorption of the food intake and bypasses of the duodenum and other segments of the small intestine are constructed in order to decrease the ability of the stomach to absorb nutrients from the food intake. People who have gastric bypass lose the three-fourth of their excess weight within two years of the surgery.
Advantages:
Lowers weight considerably and resolves the following health conditions:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Obstructive sleep apnea
Disadvantages:
- Nutrients deficiency causing health problems
- Hair thinning
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Adverse reaction of anesthesia
Adjustable Gastric Banding: Adjustable gastric banding is a kind of restrictive gastric surgery where a band of a special material is put around the rear end of the upper stomach to restrict the local area and make it like a pouch in order to restrict and decrease the food intake. The emptying of the food from this pouch gets delayed and as a result of it the person feels full. This surgery does not interfere with the normal digestive process of the stomach. Let's take a quick look at some of its advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages:
- Adjustable and reversible method
- Cutting of the stomach or intestine not involved
- Nutrient deficiency is rare
- Slower weight loss which is healthier
Disadvantages:
- Slippage of the stomach band
- Loosening of the stomach band
- Scar tissue may build around the stomach band
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