Obesity - Is Surgery the Answer?

By Brandie Umar - Executive Director of Content | June 7th, 2010

Obesity is estimated to cost over $147 billion dollars every year, and while the figures of obesity remain highest in the US, the number of hospital admissions due to obesity related health problems have risen 60% in the UK.

Obesity is a global problem and as such health companies are begining to recognise the benefits of funding weight loss surgeries. Many bariatric procedures are already covered by national health services and Medicare recently approved a limited number of weight loss surgeries for insurance coverage. Although the costs of bariatric surgeries are high, rising to $30,000 USD in some cases, the decrease in hospital costs for obesity related illnesses following surgery is making funding weight loss procedures a cost effective method for health insurance companies and health services alike.

So how do you decide if weight loss surgery is the right option for you?

First determine if you are a candidate: Do you have a BMI of +30? Have you tried unsuccessfully to loose weight with non-surgical measures? Is your health suffering as a result of your excess weight?

If yes, bariatric surgery could be the treatment you need to restart a healthier, thinner life. For more information,

contact a bariatric surgeon to ask any treatment questions you have.

How does bariatric surgery work?

Bariatric surgery methods control weight gain in two ways: first by limiting the amount of calories you can eat and secondly by speeding up the digestion of food to prevent a large number of calories being absorbed.

Limiting the amount of calories you eat is a common method of weight loss- and most diets recommend lowering your daily calories intake by 500 calories to loose weight. Weight loss surgery literally shrinks your stomach, making it impossible for you to consume more than a certain amount of food, thereby restricting the number of calories you consume.

The second aspect of bariatric surgery is speeding up digestion and preventing nutrients being absorbed. Calories and nutrients are absorbed gradually during the digestive process. Weight loss surgery methods, such as Gastric Bypass surgery, shorten the digestive tract, speeding up the time it takes for food to reach the large intestine and limiting the time food remains in the body.

What are my weight loss surgery options?

Depending on how much weight you need to loose, the lifestyle you lead and any other health problems you suffer from, there are different methods of bariatric surgery. If you are hoping your health insurance plan will cover weight loss surgery, it is recommended that you check with your insurance provider as to which procedures will be financed before making an appointment.

Gastric Banding – also known as lap band surgery, is a reversible method of weight loss surgery. Surgeons place a band around the stomach creating a smaller stomach pouch and limiting the amount of food you can eat.

Gastric Balloon - the least invasive weight loss surgery method, a balloon is inflated in the stomach to keep the stomach feeling full and limit the amount of food consumed.

Sleeve Gastrectomy - a procedure only recommended for patients who are morbidly obese, during sleeve gastrectomy procedures bariatric surgeons remove up to 80% of the actual stomach.

Gastric Bypass Roux-en Y – Combining restrictive and malabsorptive methods of bariatric surgery, the intestine is re-routed and the stomach made smaller to limit both the amount of food that can be eaten and the amount of food absorbed.

Is weight loss surgery the right solution for me?

Deciding upon weight loss surgery is not a choice you should make lightly. Most patients are delighted with the results of surgery and bariatric procedures help them achieve the figure they want. However, you must be committed to making a complete lifestyle change before you go ahead with surgery.

WhereismyDoctor.com is currently in the process of adding an open forum to the website allowing patients to share their stories and offer advice to other patients.

Have you had weight loss surgery? How did bariatric surgery change your life? What were your concerns as you prepared for treatment? Would you repeat your surgery? Have you maintained weight loss?

Sharing your story can help others who are considering weight loss treatment. If you have undergone bariatric surgery, or are considering seeking advice on surgery please share your story with us.

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