Important Facts About Gastric Lap Band Surgery
November 30, 2008 by Terry
Filed under Weight Loss Surgery
Weight loss surgery options are available to those who are significantly overweight. If you find that you are obese and simply cannot lose the weight with a standard diet and exercise program, then it may be time to consider your options. There are many surgeries that are now available, such as the Duodenal Switch surgery or the Lap Band procedure. However, before you consider the DS, you absolutely need to know what the disadvantages are.
The Duodenal Switch, or DS, changes how your stomach absorbs foods and fat. The goal is for the stomach pouch to be smaller, roughly one-third to one-fifth its size, and for the intestines to be changed. The small intestine is rerouted so that it is smaller and connects with the large intestine in a different manner. The large intestine is where the food is rerouted and the bile will travel along the small intestine.
- the goal is to lessen the amount of time the body has to absorb calories
- involves reducing the size of the stomach
- DS surgery would require a major operation in order to be reversed
There are some disadvantages to this form of weight loss surgery, as opposed to the Lap Band weight loss surgery, which is less invasive. A small hole is cut in the abdomen and a scope is inserted to place a gastric Lap Band into place along the upper portion of the stomach. The Lap Band is then tightened to make a small pouch. The DS operation requires a larger incision and a more invasive procedure to the stomach and the intestines. This means that there is a longer hospital stay and a longer recovery time.
You must also consider the fact that the Lap Band surgery is reversible, whereas the DS surgery would require a major operation in order to be reversed. That means an even longer time spent under the surgeon’s knife and a longer stay in the hospital. Many people have had severe reactions to the surgery and find themselves constantly at the doctor’s office to remove blockages.
If the disadvantages outweigh the positive outcome of the Duodenal Switch, then it is very important that you listen to your doctor and nutritionist carefully. This is not a procedure that is easily reversible. Gather the information about the surgery and carefully review the advantages and the disadvantages. After you have reviewed the information and statistics you may decide that the gastric Lap Band is the weight loss option that is best for your situation. The choice is entirely up to you.
Related Posts
