Assessment & BMI :: Laparoscopic Weight Loss Surgery

Laparoscopic Weight Loss Surgery

Laparoscopic weight loss surgery is a relatively new procedure to promote weight loss. On the other hand, gastrointestinal surgery itself is not new.

Laparoscopic weight loss surgery is minimally invasive surgery. Some of the possible advantages over traditional surgical techniques for weight loss include:

much smaller incisions

less pain after surgery

less scarring

shorter hospital stay

recover more quickly after surgery

less risk (about 3% less) of developing hernias

What is the laparoscopic weight loss surgery process?

With the laparoscopic weight loss surgery technique a laparoscope is used. This is a small, tubular medical device with a camera attached to the tip. The surgeon uses the camera to see inside your abdomen. To use the laparoscope and other surgical instruments, 5 small incisions are made in your abdomen. Each one less than 1/2 inch long.

To help your surgeon see even better your abdomen is "inflated" with carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas. This creates space to see and work. CO₂ is common to the human body. As the gas is absorbed through tissue it's removed by your respiratory system.

How does weight loss surgery work?

The two most common procedures for the laparoscopic weight loss surgery technique are gastric bypass and adjustable gastric band. Basically a portion of the stomach is being bypassed.

In gastric bypass the amount of food you can eat and digest is limited. About 2/3 of your stomach is bypassed. Your surgeon creates a small stomach pouch at the top of your stomach. Then a section of your small intestine is attached to the pouch. This is how food bypasses your stomach.

The result is fewer calories and nutrients are absorbed by your body.

Laparoscopic weight loss surgery is also used for the adjustable gastric band procedure. This is also called lap band or gastric banding. Your stomach is encircled with an inflatable, adjustable band. The band is placed near the top of your stomach and creates a stomach pouch.

The band is inflated through a tube with an access port under your skin. A salt solution is used to inflate the adjustable band.

This pouch can hold about a cup or less of food. A very small outlet, about the size of a pencil eraser, is left at the bottom of the newly created stomach pouch. The very small outlet keeps food in the stomach longer. This means you get full faster and also feel full for a longer period of time.

More thoughts on weight loss surgery

Laparoscopic weight loss surgery offers a number of advantages and is certainly less invasive. As with any surgery there are risks so discuss this thoroughly with your doctor. And recognize you'll have permanent and significant lifestyle changes to make after weight loss surgery.

It's important for you to do lots of research. Read more about weight loss surgery and who is eligible for it. It's only for the morbidly obese. Stated bluntly, very fat people losing weight - or who can't lose weight any other way - may be eligible. Again, please include this other article in your research, Weight Loss Surgery.

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