Weight Loss/ Obesity

With a better understanding about the significant health risks of morbid obesity, the improvement in bariatric surgical technique, as well as the acknowledgement of the ineffectiveness of current non-surgical approaches to produce sustained weight loss, weight loss surgery is growing in popularity.

Bariatrics is the field of medicine that specializes in treating obesity. Be aware that bariatric surgical procedures are only considered for people with severe obesity. Weight loss surgery should not be thought of as the easy fix for those who simply don’t want to exercise or diet, or who have a mild weight problem and are slightly overweight.

A complex, clinical disorder with many contributing factors, obesity and particularly morbid obesity is a condition often associated with a wide range of medical problems, including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems, obstructive sleep apnoea, chronic musculoskeletal problems, gall bladder disease, and psychosocial problems such as depression. For many patients who are severely overweight, surgical treatment may be the only proven method that will help them achieve long-term weight control. The ultimate goal of weight loss surgery is to improving the patient’s overall health, enabling him/her to perform normal activities, and to live better, and longer.

Safe weight loss through surgery requires a strong long-term commitment from not only the patient, but also the team of medical experts providing care. Patients who undergo weight loss surgery often must follow strict dietary guidelines after the surgery or they will be sadly disappointed in their weight loss results. The best facilities with bariatric departments provide the patient with educational sessions, one-on-one counseling, and complete medical exams and testing before surgery, as well as continued support after the weight loss surgery. A multidisciplinary team representing the fields of nutrition, psychiatry, medicine, and surgery need to assess patients with morbid obesity, so the doctors can accurately recommend the best surgical treatment for the patient.

Carefully research the facility and team of doctors whom you have chosen since in some cases obesity-related problems, including diabetes, heart disease, and digestive disorders can make weight loss surgery riskier. Experienced surgeons using the latest research and technologies frequently have better outcomes and lower mortality rates. It is important to remember that there are no definitive guarantees in any kind of medicine or surgery. Since bariatric surgery is only the beginning to help your body to start losing weight, your ultimate success will be determined by how well you comply with the diet and behavior modifications required by most surgeons after surgery. Weight loss surgery will only succeed in the long run if you, the patient, makes a lifelong commitment.

The American Society for Bariatric Surgery describes two basic approaches to achieve change with weight loss surgery:

- Restrictive surgeries work by physically restricting the size of the stomach and slowing down digestion.

- Mal-absorptive procedures alter digestion. Mal-absorptive/restrictive surgeries are more invasive bariatric surgeries that work by changing how you take in food. In addition to restricting the size of the stomach, these surgeries physically remove parts of your digestive tract, which makes it harder for your body to absorb calories.

Although restrictive operations lead to weight loss in almost all patients, they are less successful than malabsorptive operations in achieving substantial, long-term weight loss.

Some of the most common bariatric/weight loss surgery procedures people are traveling abroad for are:

- Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass
In this procedure the stomach is made smaller by creating a small pouch (30 ml) at the top of the stomach using surgical staples. The smaller stomach is connected directly to the middle portion of the small intestine (jejunum), bypassing the rest of the stomach and the upper portion of the small intestine (duodenum). Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass is more risky than the band or the sleeve gastrectomy. It is usually not reversible and long term supplements of vitamins and minerals are required.

- Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
The most common procedure performed at the Mayo Clinic is the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Research has shown that it is the most effective procedure with the best long-term results. The Mayo Clinic also performs a modified version the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass for the severely obese which further restricts the patients nutrient and calorie absorption.

- Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAGB)
Gastric banding is among the least invasive weight loss treatments.
During laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding surgery, an inflatable band is placed around the upper portion of the stomach to restrict the amount of food that can be consumed and to extend a person's feeling of fullness after eating. The procedure is safe, minimally invasive, adjustable, and is fully reversible.

- Vertical Banded Gastroplasty. (VBG)
Similar to adjustable gastric banding, it divides the stomach into two parts, h with both a band and surgical staples. Because the results are not as successful as other techniques, this procedure it's now less common.

- Biliopancreatic Diversion
A more drastic version of a gastric bypass, in which part of the stomach up to 70% is removed, and even more of the small intestine is bypassed. Biliopancreatic diversion can result in even greater and faster weight loss than a gastric bypass, but risk of nutritional deficiencies is much more serious. This is one of the most complicated and high-risk weight loss surgeries. The risks are lowered if done laparoscopically.

- Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch
Similar to the very, very long limb Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, the Duodenal Switch surgery leaves more of the stomach intact compared to the other Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgeries. A potential risk of this surgery is nutrient deficiency.

- Sleeve Gastrectomy (a restrictive procedure)
A relatively new form of restrictive weight loss surgery, this is a simpler operation than a gastric bypass. This type of surgery does not involve the rerouting or reconnecting of the intestines. During sleeve gastrectomy, approximately 75% - 80 % of the stomach is removed laparoscopically with the help of staplers so that the stomach takes the shape of a tube or "sleeve." This procedure induces weight loss by restricting food intake. Sleeve Gastrectomy is not a reversible procedure. Since sleeve gastrectomy is often just the first step in weight loss surgery for the severely obese, the patient will probably have additional bariatric operations later.

You may search the database on the OnlineMedicalTourism website to find medical facilities that perform weight loss (bariatric) surgery procedures.

Go to the Online Medical Tourism Procedures page to find the weight loss procedure you are interested in and see our list of facilities offering the procedure.

Join the thousands of medical travelers from around the world who are receiving better value for their money across a wide range of weight loss surgery treatments by traveling abroad.