What is Combination Weight Loss Surgery?

Weight loss surgery is a surgical procedure intended for people considered as morbidly obese to shed those extra pounds. There are three common types of weight loss surgery: (1) restrictive, (2) malabsorptive, and (3) combination of the two. Each surgery has its own advantages as well disadvantages when compared to each other.

If you plan to have a weight loss surgery, you need the help of health care professionals to work with you closely to determine the type of surgery that will suit you and benefit you the most. As people have different cases, some need a more comprehensive approach, while for others the least comprehensive is the enough. Therefore, it’s very important that the doctor knows all relevant facts and information about you before the surgery, for it to have satisfying results.

The commonly performed weight loss surgery is the combination of restrictive and malabsorptive types. This surgery is called the Roux-en Y surgery, or commonly known as the gastric bypass. Due to its high success rate, this surgery has become the popular approach for weight loss patients. The procedure involves stapling the stomach to make a new, smaller stomach pouch. A part of the small intestine is then attached to the pouch. The result of this bypass is that food intake and nutrient absorption are regulated. When you eat, you feel full immediately, thus, few amounts of nutrients are absorbed by the body. The body will then turn to the extra fats for its calorie requirement.

Just like any other surgery, the gastric bypass has advantages and disadvantages. Let’s discuss the disadvantages first. The gastric bypass has a greater risk compared with other procedures, such as the Lap Banding, because there is more cutting and stapling of the stomach and bowels. This procedure may also cause some medical problems such as anemia, hair loss and bone density loss due to the lack of nutrients being absorbed by the body. As parts of the digestive system are bypassed, its ability to absorb important nutrients is diminished, so the patient may need repeated screenings and supplements to avoid complications. Patients who have undergone gastric bypass also report a high rate of the dumping syndrome, which leads to cramping, sweating, nausea and diarrhea. Once the procedure is done, it is difficult to reverse and is not adjustable according to the patient’s needs. Because of these, the gastric bypass has a higher mortality rate in comparison to the Lap-Band or vertical banded Gastroplasty procedures.

Fortunately, doctors have perfected this procedure so that these disadvantages are put to minimum. Gastric bypass has been performed for many tears in the United States that the surgery has been greatly improved by experienced doctors. Patients can now expect to lose a lot more weight initially following the surgery. The recovery and healing time after the surgery has been reduced. Another benefit of this surgery is that it has been performed for many years in the United States and patients can expect a very experienced doctor.

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