When it comes to weight loss surgery, there are several different options. However, the most common procedures that are performed include Gastric Bypass and Laparoscopic Gastric Banding. While these surgeries can be life changing to many patients, the unfortunate fact is that in many cases health insurance does not cover these procedures in the U.S. If paid for privately, Gastric Bypass and Laparoscopic Gastric Banding costs can be quite high. Therefore, it is not uncommon for patients who wish to undergo the surgery to venture out and obtain it elsewhere from trained surgeons in world-class facilities at a more affordable price.
Gastric Bypass
Gastric Bypass is a procedure where a pathway is created for the food that is ingested to bypass the stomach and pass directly into the bowel. The main advantage of this is that the food does not get broken down into various components within the stomach and as a result only a limited amount of the food is reabsorbed from the intestine. While the body continues to get the nutrition it requires, it is only in limited amounts. This results in the breakdown of body fat and a subsequent reduction in body weight.
The surgery is performed under general anesthesia. Once an incision is made in the abdomen, the stomach is accessed and is divided into a small pouch and a larger main stomach. The first part of the intestine is attached to the small pouch. Thus any food that is consumed enters this small pouch and then passes directly into the small intestine without entering the larger main stomach.
Gastric bypass surgery may be performed as an open surgery or through a laparoscopic approach i.e. keyhole surgery. These days, keyhole surgery is preferred due to the lower rate of complications, better patient satisfaction rates and better long-term outcomes. The risks are rare and can include a small amount of blood loss and the possibility of development of blood clots in the legs. These can be easily treated.
Laparoscopic Gastric Banding
Laparoscopic gastric banding, also called lap banding, is another form of weight loss surgery that is extremely effective. In essence, the surgery involves the placement of a tight band around the upper part of the stomach. This band divides the stomach into a small pouch and indirectly influences the amount of food that a person can consume.
The procedure is straight forward and is performed through a keyhole approach. Small incisions are created on the abdomen and various instruments including a camera are passed through to visualize the stomach. Once the stomach is visible, a tight band is placed around the stomach to divide it into an upper and lower part. A small pouch is created which connects directly to the lower part of the stomach, thus limiting the amount of food that enters this part. This means that when an individual is consuming food, they feel fuller much sooner.
The long-term outcomes with gastric banding surgery are relatively good. Patients notice significant weight loss fairly quickly. The risks are rare and can include blood loss, erosion of the stomach tissue by the gastric band, slipping of the gastric band and inflammation of the stomach. In the event that the gastric band erodes the stomach, it will require removal.
Conclusion
There is a plethora of evidence that supports the benefits of gastric bypass surgery and laparoscopic gastric banding. While it is unfortunate that these procedures are not covered by health insurance, they are still easily obtainable at other world-class facilities where the surgery will be performed by surgeons trained in the U.S.
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