What is Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatrics is the field of medicine that deals with obesity–the causes, prevention and treatment of the condition. Obesity is rising at an alarming rate and as a result, so is the number of bariatric surgeries performed each year.

There are 2 major types of bariatric surgeries, the lap band and Roux-en-Y. The lap band surgery is the easiest and quickest to perform, but is not considered as permanent and you probably will not lose as much weight with the lap band as with the reconstructive surgical procedures. The lap band is placed around the top of the stomach to restrict the amount of food that it will hold. Gastric banding is also a reversible surgery.

The Roux-en-Y, the more permanent of the two types of gastric bypass surgery, requires a 4 day hospital stay. It will be about 2 months before you will be able to eat regular foods and your stomach may not tolerate some foods ever again. Sugar and foods with a high amount of fat are usually among the foods that your stomach will not like. You will most likely lose more weight with the RNY, but it is much more invasive and requires a longer recovery period.

Both types of bariatric surgery will help you get down to a healthy weight. In my situation, my insurance would only pay for the RNY, probably because the lap band was so new. If you have to pay for the surgery yourself, the lap band is going to be much cheaper. Your surgeon will help you decide which type of bariatric surgery is best for you.

See this article in Philadelphia Magazine for an excellent summary of the various types of bariatric surgery. If you enjoy the magazine, pick up a Philadelphia magazine subscription for twelve great issues a year.

But the surgery is not the end of it. Some people go into this think all the have to do is have the surgery and 12 months later they will have lost a hundred or more pounds. And yes, this will most likely happen. But if you think things will stay that way without you exercising and learning to make wise food choices—guess again. This is a process and the surgery is just the tip of the iceberg. You will have to make the necessary lifestyle changes in order to keep the weight off.