The term bariatric surgery covers all surgical procedures offered as a solution for people faced with obesity and the challenges raised by the condition. Candidates for the different weight loss procedures are people who are obese and have tried in vain to lose weight with the help of traditional methods such as diet and exercise. To opt for weight loss surgery is always a serious decision and it should always be an informed one. It is for a trained and experienced weight loss surgeon to decide on the exact procedure best suited to your needs, weight loss goals and overall health. However, general information on the main characteristics of bariatric procedures can only be of help.

Categories of Bariatric Procedures

Weight loss surgery procedures can be divided into three big categories depending on the method used to achieve weight loss:

• Restrictive bariatric procedures reduce the size of the stomach and restrict by this, the amount of food that can be eaten at one meal. Due to the early feeling of satiety and the significantly reduced amount of food needed, the result is dramatic weight loss in during the first weeks following surgery. Bariatric procedures that are primarily restrictive include: lap band surgery (adjustable gastric banding) and gastric sleeve procedure.
• Malabsorptive bariatric procedures involve the rearrangement or the removal of part of the digestive system, so that the body can absorb a much limited amount of nutrients and calories. Despite excellent weight loss results malabsorptive procedures had a higher risk of complications, and nowadays they are only used in combination with restrictive procedures.
• Restrictive/malabsorptive combination procedures. A combination of the above mentioned two techniques, restrictive and malabsorptive procedures manage to ensure sustained weight loss while having relatively low risks for post-operative complications. Procedures that enter this category include: gastric bypass and the duodenal switch.

Laparoscopic Surgical Techniques

The introduction of the laparoscopic surgery was a real breakthrough for weight loss surgery. It allows easy access to the abdominal cavity and great precision for the execution of all phases of the operation. Due to only small incisions through which the laparoscope and the surgical instruments are introduced, patients need a significantly shorter recovery time compared to open surgery. Incisions site infections and hemorrhages are also less likely to occur. The operating weight loss surgeon makes use of large display monitors which show magnified images of the operation site

If you would like to know whether a restrictive bariatric surgery procedure would work best for you or a combination procedure of malabpsortive and restrictive techniques, contact an experienced weight loss surgeon. Before you decide to go under the knife, make sure you understand all the pros and cons of the chosen procedure.