Weight Loss Surgery Overview

Weight loss surgery is an effective tool that helps the seriously obese to lose weight.  To be a candidate for surgery, the person must have a body mass index, or BMI, of 30 or more, which corresponds to about 50 to100 pounds overweight, depending on height. There are three main types of weight loss surgery. These are:

• Restrictive: This word refers to procedures that decrease the amount of food one can eat, or that restrict stomach capacity. Laparoscopic gastric banding (the “lap band”), sleeve gastrectomy, and gastric plication are examples of this sort of surgery.
• Malabsorptive: This word means that the digestive system absorbs fewer calories. Malabsorptive procedures re-route the digestive system so that food travels a shorter path through the stomach and small intestine, decreasing absorption of nutrients and calories. Operations that are malabsorptive only are rare today. Usually, malabsorptive procedures are combined with restrictive techniques, as in the case of the gastric bypass.

 

Which type of procedure— if any — is right for you? To find out, consult bariatric surgeon Dr. Jeremy Korman, medical director of LA Bariatrics in Marina Del Rey. An experienced surgeon can determine whether you’re a good candidate and explain your choices.

Although weight loss surgery is not a “magic” fix for obesity, patients who make conscious changes to their diet and activity levels can have remarkable results. Below is a brief overview of some available surgical options.

Gastric Bypass

Gastric bypass surgery is considered the “gold standard” of weight loss procedures in the United States. The surgeon creates a “pouch” from the stomach that holds a smaller fraction of the food than the previous stomach anatomy could hold. The surgeon also reroutes the intestines so the body absorbs fewer calories. Patients lose approxitimately 50 to 70 percent of their excess weight, on average, in one year, and if they stick with their diet and exercise plans, they can maintain their weight loss. Learn more about gastric bypass.

Laparoscopic Gastric Banding (the “lap band”)

In this procedure, the surgeon places a silicone band around the top part of the stomach. This effectively creates a small pouch that fills up with a smaller portions of food. This band is adjustable. During the surgery, the band is connected to a port placed beneath the skin with tubing. The band can be inflated and deflated with saline injections until the proper fit is obtained. Estimated weight loss is around 50 percent after one to two years. The Food and Drug Administration recently approved this procedure for patients with BMI as low as 30 who also have obesity-related health problems. Learn more about lap-band surgery.

Sleeve Gastrectomy

This is one of the newest surgical weight loss options.  In this permanent restrictive procedure, part of the stomach is removed. The remaining portion is shaped like a banana, or a sleeve.  Because this is a relatively new procedure, there are not that many studies available, but according to the National Institute of Health, some studies have estimated an average weight loss of  60 percent. Learn more about sleeve gastrectomy.

Gastric Plication

In this emerging surgery, the stomach is plicated or folded over itself.  The surgeon sutures the folds, creating a pouch or tube shape. The resulting stomach pouch is similar in shape and size to the pouch created in the sleeve gastrectomy. However, gastric plication does not involve any cutting or stapling of the stomach, and therefore could be considered reversible. As this is a new procedure, long-term data on its effectiveness has not yet been established, but patients are showing promising results. Learn more about gastric plication.

Risks and complications of weight loss surgery

Like any operation, weight loss surgery does have risks. Though uncommon, these risks and complications will be thoroughly reviewed with you by the clinical team at LA Bariatrics.  To learn more, contact us. 

Health Benefits of Weight Loss Surgery

Carrying excess weight can increase your risk of developing certain medical conditions.  Surgical weight loss can help.  According to a landmark study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 2004, bariatric surgery patients showed improvements  in the following metabolic conditions:  

• Type 2 diabetes remission in 76.8% and significantly improved in 86% of patients 
• Hypertension eliminated in 61.7%  and significantly improved in 78.5% of patients 
• High cholesterol reduced in more than 70% of patients  
• Sleep apnea was eliminated 85.7% of patients 
• Joint disease, asthma and infertility were also dramatically improved or resolved  

The study also showed that surgery patients lost between 60 and 75 percent of excess weight.

Costs of weight loss surgery

The costs of weight surgery can vary widely from region to region, as well as from patient to patient. The good news is that many procedures are covered by major insurance providers, including Blue Cross and Medicare, for those patients who meet the necessary criteria.  The knowledgeable staff at LA Bariatrics will help to determine your eligibility and insurance coverage for this procedure.   We invite you to call today to speak with one of our representatives to obtain further information.

If insurance does not cover this procedure, our team members are experienced in helping patients explore payment options which are right for them, including affordable financing options. Contact us for more information.

There is also a cost to not having surgery. If you are significantly overweight, you are more likely to have health problems that affect your work. Also, even though it’s unfair, some studies have shown that hiring managers are unconsciously prejudiced against the obese when it’s time to make personnel decisions. Achieving a normal weight can also boost energy, so not only could you become more productive and live longer, you might just get more pleasure from that longer life.

If you’d like to find out more, please browse our Web site or contact LA Bariatrics to schedule an appointment. From our offices, attached to Marina Del Rey Hospital, we serve all of greater Los Angeles and Southern California. Please call us at (310) 577-5540 for more information.