Weight loss surgery can be a life changing and life extending tool for the morbidly obese. People with a BMI of 35 to 40, or who are 100 pounds or more over a healthy weight may be candidates for weight loss surgery. Obesity is a life-threatening disease as it increases a person’s susceptibility to other illnesses, such as diabetes, heart disease, high-blood pressure, cancer, and fatty liver.

For many morbidly obese people, loosing weight has been a challenge for their whole life. They have been unable to loose significant weight and keep it off through diet and exercise. Weight loss surgery can be a tool to help patients loose weight and improve their health. While it is not an easy fix, there is a high level of success for those willing to follow the post-surgical requirements.

This type of surgery has inherent risk, as obese patients carry a significant chance of complications from any type of surgery. Finding a good surgeon is essential to reducing the risk of complications.

Gastric bypass surgery is a commonly used type of weight reduction procedure. The gastric bypass works by reducing the size of the stomach by approximately 90%. This changes the volume of food that can be consumed in a single sitting. The digestion of food is also changed through the intestinal bypass. Gastric bypass surgery bypasses the upper portion of the small intestine. By doing this, less calories and nutrients are absorbed into the body.

Gastric banding is another form of surgery used for weight loss. Banding procedures only reduce the stomach size while keeping the intestines intact. This type of procedure also reduces the amount of food a person can eat comfortably, and because of the intact digestive system, there is less a chance of a nutritional deficiency,

Surgery can be an effective tool for weight loss, but it comes at a significant cost and health risk. It is essential to work with your doctor to determine if you are a good candidate for surgical weight loss.