Which Surgery is Recommended for High Obesity Patients?

Obesity can put you at risk of developing severe and long-term obesity-related diseases, such as cancer and heart disease. However, weight loss through exercise and diet is challenging for many people. This is because they are very heavy and have health conditions. Other socioeconomic reasons also prevent them from dieting and exercising. 

Fortunately, there are several medical treatments available that can make you healthier and fit. The health experts will help you deal with weight loss and eating challenges through education, goal setting, and monitoring changes in your eating habits. 

The expert will recommend bariatric surgery to a patient with BMI over 40. These surgeries either limit food absorption in the intestine or reduce the amount of food you eat, or sometimes both. 

Plus, you can undergo these surgeries regardless of how overweight you are. If you want to know whether you need these surgeries or not, you can register for this webinar

At Bariatric and Metabolic Center of Colorado, we offer you complete guidance about obesity, the importance of losing weight, and surgical methods so that you can decide whether you need to undergo treatment or not. 

Types of Obesity Surgery

Sleeve Gastrectomy

In this case, your surgeon will remove 80% of your stomach and leave a long pouch. This pouch can’t hold a significant amount of food. The treatment will also reduce the production of the appetite-regulating hormone ghrelin. This is why you will feel your appetite diminishing. 

Sleeves Gastrectomy can help you with significant weight loss. Also, there is no routing of the intestine. Unlike other treatments, you don’t need to stay for a long time in the hospital. 

Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch

This surgery is divided into two parts. The first part of the treatment session involves the same procedure as sleeve gastrectomy. In the second part, the surgeon will connect the duodenum near the stomach to the end of your intestine. This way, the food will bypass the majority of the intestine.

Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch reduces the absorption of nutrients and limits the amount of food you eat. This treatment is highly effective and protects you from obesity-related diseases but has significant health risks, such as vitamin deficiencies and malnutrition.

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

This is the most common bariatric surgery option. Gastric bypass is not reversible and works by reducing the amount of food you can consume in one setting and decreasing absorption of nutrients. 

The surgery involves cutting across the top of the stomach and then sealing it. As a result, a pouch is created, which is about the size of a walnut and can only hold about an ounce of food. Typically, your stomach will only have space for 3 pints of food. 

After that, the doctor will cut your small intestine and then sew it with the pouch. This way, food will go directly to the pouch and the small intestine. The food will not pass to the other areas of your stomach and intestine. 

Which is the Best Option?

Living with obesity and being overweight can lead to several health conditions, like type-2 diabetes, heart problems, and high blood pressure. If you have a high BMI, it’s vital to take important measures. One of the best and most effective options to control obesity is to choose between different bariatric surgery options. 

But which one is the best for you? Each procedure has its own advantages and drawbacks. The type of surgery that will work best for you depends on your specific situation. Your surgeon will recommend an ideal process by considering your eating habits, body mass index, previous surgeries, risks, and health problems. 

So, visit an experienced and qualified surgeon at Bariatric and Metabolic Center of Colorado to help you with weight loss and improve your quality of life. 

Bottom Line

Whether you are thinking about undergoing bariatric surgery for diabetes or want to become healthier, the Bariatric and Metabolic Center of Colorado can help you become slim and fit. Our team of experts will first help you evaluate the risks and benefits of each process so that you can make the best decision. If you want to book an appointment or need more details, you can contact us.

Dr. Joshua Long headshot

This page was medically reviewed by Dr. Joshua Long, MD, MBA, FACS, FASMBS. Dr. Long is a double-board-certified bariatric surgeon and bariatric medical director for Parker Adventist Hospital.
Full Bio: Dr. Joshua Long, MD, MBA, FACS, FASMBS
Page Updated: November 18th, 2022

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