Weight Loss Surgery

Bariatric surgery, also known as weight loss surgery, is used to treat patients who are excessively overweight and who have been unable to lose weight through diet and/or exercise. A patient is typically considered for candidacy for weight loss surgery if he or she has a BMI of greater than 40 or if he or she is in excess of 100 pounds overweight. BMI is an acronym for Body Mass Index and is a calculation that compares the height and weight of the patient. The normal range for BMI is 19 to 25.

For each individual patient, it is important to recognize the weight loss surgery cost associated with weight loss surgery. Many patients mistakenly believe that their insurance company will cover at least a portion of the site, though this is not often true. While bariatric surgery insurance options are available, third party coverage largely depends on the insurance company in charge and if the bariatric surgeon has sufficiently proved the patient is at extreme physical and emotional risk due to obesity.

Potential patients should find out if their respective provider offers Lap Band insurance or gastric bypass insurance coverage. If some of the cost can be handled by the insurance company, it may help patients make decision sooner if they should have bariatric surgery. The cost of gastric bypass and the cost of Lap Band surgery are quite extensive and should definitely be factored prior to a patient making a determination if surgery is right for him or her.

Types of Weight Loss Surgery

Gastric Bypass Surgery

During gastric bypass surgery a portion of the stomach is closed to create a small pouch. The intestinal section that carries food from the small stomach pouch to the lower intestine is then diverted (bypass) around the remaining larger part of the stomach. The enzymes and digestive juices that are produced in the stomach continue to flow into the non-diverted part of the intestine. This diversion (or bypass) of the intestine allows food to pass out of the stomach pouch and into the lower intestine without being exposed to the digestive enzymes and juices. By reducing the stomach size and by diverting food through the "bypass," gastric bypass surgery creates significant weight loss as patients have a sensation of fullness (satiation) and as malabsorption of nutrients occurs.

Weight Loss Surgery Specialists

Most weight loss surgery specialists have completed a four-year medical school curriculum and a five-year general surgery residency program. They are typically board certified by the American Board of Surgery and have advanced training and experience in the newest technology surgical techniques. You can use the weight loss surgery directory to find doctors who specialize in Chicago Weight Loss Surgery, Fresno Weight Loss Surgery, Knoxville Weight Loss Surgery, Raleigh Weight Loss Surgery, Birmingham Weight Loss Surgery, Hartford Weight Loss Surgery, New Haven Weight Loss Surgery, Northern New Jersey Weight Loss Surgery, San Antonio Weight Loss Surgery and Fort Worth Weight Loss Surgery.

Lap Band Surgery - LAP-BAND

Lap Band surgery is the newest type of bariatric surgery and is gaining wide popularity. Many gastric bypass surgeons also perform lap band. Use the weight loss surgeon directory to learn about these procedures from surgeons who specialize in La Crosse Weight Loss Surgery, Madison Weight Loss Surgery, Phoenix Weight Loss Surgery and Houston Weight Loss Surgery.

Weight Loss Surgery Benefits

In addition to massive weight loss, new studies show that bariatric surgery can dramatically impact important systemic disorders, such as diabetes and hypertension. These diseases are often caused by the weight gain associated with excessive eating. The surgery and the subsequent massive weight loss have been shown to cause hypertension and diabetes to subside, or in some cases, completely resolve.

As a result, many post-bariatric patients are able to stop using various blood pressure, blood clots and diabetes medications, such as Plavix and Avandia. These drugs have been linked to a number of side effects, such as Plavix strokes and Avandia heart attacks. When patients stop taking these medications, they significantly decrease or completely eliminate the risk of suffering a side effect of Avandia and/or Plavix. Use the Consumer Guide to Weight Loss Surgery directory to learn about these benefits and to select an Austin Weight Loss Surgery specialist.

To learn more about Lap Band, visit this page in Infotabs.