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Weight Loss Surgery such as Sleeve Gastrectomy, has been shown to be the most effective and long lasting treatment for morbid obesity. Weight loss surgeries are also effective in treating obesity related conditions, resulting from significant weight loss. The safety of weight loss surgery continues to increase with ongoing research. The Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality recently reported improvements are due in large part to laparoscopic techniques. The overall risk of death from weight loss surgery is about 0.1 percent and the risk of major complication is around 4 percent. Although there are risks with any surgery, morbid obesity without intervention is riskier than bariatric surgery itself. Below are the benefits and risk factors for Roux-en-Y surgery, sleeve gastrectomy, and the lap band procedure.
Roux-en-Y
The Roux-en-Y surgery offers one of the best balances between weight loss and the risk of complications. This surgery does not involve any implantations nor does it remove any organs, making it reversible. Weight loss can average around 80% of excess body weight after one year. This weight loss alone can produce other health benefits such as lowering incidence of cholesterol, blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. As recently reported in The New England Journal of Medicine (August 2012) bariatric surgery can greatly decrease the risk of diabetes.
The risk of major complications regarding a roux-en-y surgery is around 5-8% over your lifetime. Risks may include bowel obstructions, malnutrition, anemia, diarrhea, infection and low blood sugar.
Sleeve Gastrectomy
The sleeve gastrectomy generates major benefits due to a permanent reduction in the size of a patient’s stomach. A smaller stomach size leads to a reduction in appetite and ingested food. Other benefits to the sleeve gastrectomy include: lowering the risk of ulcers, the hormone that stimulates hunger is removed, stomach entrance and exit remain intact, and there are no implantations.
Risks specific to the sleeve gastrectomy may include problems with stapling, stomach stretching, and nausea.
Lap Band
Lap Band surgery is the least invasive weight loss procedure today. The amount of time needed for recovery is less than gastric bypass. In addition to its safety, the adjustable band is able to be modified after implantation without additional surgery. The major advantage of the gastric band is that it can be removed. This fully reversible procedure does not involve cutting or stapling the stomach, or bypassing the intestines. When considering the Lab Band, the most significant problem has been associated with alterations of the stomach pouch located above the band. In some cases, this pouch may enlarge from slippage of the band or stretching of the stomach wall. Other risks of the lap band procedure may include band leakage, dehydration, and blockage of stomach outlet, gastritis, and reflux.
Obesity is a major risk factor for premature death and is facing nearly 40 million Americans today. It is important to remember that despite these risk factors, Roux-en-Y, sleeve gastrectomy, and the Lab Band are highly effective and safe operations. Significant weight loss and improvements to obesity related diseases result directly from these weight loss surgeries. More information regarding weight loss surgery and how you can benefit from its results can be found by making an appointment with Dr. Shillingford located in Boca Raton, Florida. With a personalized visit, Dr. Shillingford will help gear you towards a weight loss surgery focused on your needs and further advise you and your family regarding the risks and benefits of various weight loss procedures. He has been fellowship trained in advanced laparoscopic surgery methods to aid the best outcome.
Remember, although there are risks involved in any surgery, being followed and supervised by a Bariatric Surgeon with expertise in weight loss surgery will allow for proper support and intervention throughout your weight loss surgery.