Weight-loss surgery

Weight-loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, has helped millions of people shed their excess weight and live healthier lives. It is the only proven means of long-term weight loss. In study after study, weight-loss methods such as Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem, Atkins, diet pills and shakes, fad diets and most other means have been shown not to offer any substantial long-term weight loss in the majority of people.

Weight-loss surgery is a tool that allows you to transform your eating habits so that you can successfully lose weight and keep it off. The resulting health benefits are clear. Think back to when you were 100 or more pounds lighter. Did you have all of the health issues that you have now? Did you feel better? Did you have a better outlook on life?

If you have tried and failed to lose weight by other means, you may want to consider weight-loss surgery. In considering weight-loss surgery, it is important to select a bariatric program that offers a strong pre- and postoperative care plan. Weight-loss surgery is a lifelong commitment on your part and the program, hospital and surgeon you choose for your surgery should be one that will continue to support you throughout your journey.

Studies have shown that experienced surgeons who operate out of hospitals that are designated “Centers of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery,” such as Hackensack University Medical Center, have the best overall results.

The benefits of bariatric surgery

Bariatric surgery continues to benefit people struggling with morbid obesity worldwide. Most importantly, bariatric surgery saves lives. Recent studies show that bariatric surgery patients are living longer lives than morbidly obese individuals. You also can see the benefits of bariatric surgery when you look back on how individual lives have improved.

Reduction in mortality (extended life expectancy)

Reduced life span due to obesity is important to consider. Compared to a person of normal weight, a 25-year-old obese man has a reduced life span, and he can expect a loss of about 12 years of life. Bariatric surgery has been shown to improve life span by reducing excess body weight. In a recent study, bariatric surgery reduced overall morbidity and the development of new health-related conditions in morbidly obese patients.

Resolution of obesity-related health conditions

Obesity-related health conditions that may be improved or resolved with bariatric surgery include:

• Type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure & heart disease
• High cholesterol
• Osteoarthritis of weight-bearing joints
• Depression
• Sleep apnea/respiratory problems
• Gastroesophageal reflux/heartburn
• Infertility
• Urinary stress incontinence
• Menstrual irregularities
• Asthma
• Skin breakdown
• Swollen legs/skin ulcers
• Extremity venous stasis
• Long-term weight loss

Bariatric surgery has been shown to be the most effective long-term weight-loss treatment. The amount of weight a patient will lose after the procedure depends upon several factors. These include age, preoperative weight, motivation, exercise and compliance with follow-up.

Surgery is likely to be used more widely given that the number of Americans with a BMI greater than 40 has nearly tripled in the last decade. Each year, more and more people are realizing that weight-loss surgery is the answer for them.

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Lifestyle opportunities

Bariatric surgery, by reducing excess body weight and improving overall health, can improve patients’ lives in many personal ways. Some benefits are common among patients; others are unique to each individual patient.

Here are some of the surgery benefits patients have described:

• Improvement of medical conditions
• Improved job or career prospects
• Reduced shortness of breath
• Increased energy level
• Regularly getting a good night of sleep
• Greater confidence
• Improved dating life
• Greater variety in choice of clothes
• Exercise is more rewarding

In short, the benefits of weight-loss surgery are clear. However, it is a surgical procedure and requires a thorough understanding of the risks as well as the benefits. It is important to meet with one of our qualified bariatric surgeons to discuss your individual health concerns and issues. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call Advanced Laparoscopic Associates in Paramus, New Jersey at 201.646.1121 today!

Types of weight-loss surgery

For over two decades, minimally invasive, or “laparoscopic,” procedures have been used in a variety of general surgeries. Many people mistakenly believe that these techniques are still “experimental.” In fact, laparoscopy, because of its many advantages, has become the predominant technique in weight-loss surgery.

When a laparoscopic operation is performed, a small video camera is inserted into the abdomen. The surgeon views the procedure on a separate video monitor. This gives the surgeon excellent visualization and access to key anatomical structures.

Surgical instruments are inserted through small incisions made in the abdominal wall. This approach is considered less invasive because it replaces the need for one long incision to open the abdomen.

Patients who have laparoscopic weight-loss surgery experience less pain after surgery, have fewer wound complications such as infections and have fewer abdominal wall hernias. These benefits allow easier breathing after surgery and allow for quicker return to presurgical levels of activity.

In researching weight-loss surgery, you will come across many different types of operations. Selecting which one is right for you can be difficult and requires a knowledge of the options and discussion with a bariatric surgeon. The two most common and most studied operations are the gastric bypass (also called Roux-en-Y bypass) and the laparoscopic gastric banding. Other operations you may hear about are biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) or duodenal switch and sleeve gastrectomy. These other operations are felt by the surgeons at Advanced Laparoscopic Associates to be either too extensive to justify the added risks or too new to know fully the long-term success rates. In this practice, both the laparoscopic gastric bypass and the laparoscopic gastric banding are offered. These operations as well as their risks and benefits are further discussed below.

Laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery (Roux-en-Y)

Laparoscopic gastric banding (REALIZE® Adjustable Gastric Band and LAP-BAND®)

For more information about weight-loss surgery in Paramus, New Jersey, please call Advanced Laparoscopic Associates at 201.646.1121 today or use our online Request an Appointment form.