What is the Safest Form of Weight Loss Surgery?

Many people struggle with obesity and have turned to weight loss surgery. That is a serious decision that needs to be made carefully, but obesity is just as severe if not more. It leads to sleep apnea and even fatal outcomes like cardiac arrest. Knowing all the tiny details about the surgery is essential before jumping in. There are different weight loss surgeries, including gastric bypass surgery and gastric sleeve surgery, but what is the safest form of bariatric surgery? Keep reading as we reveal your safest option when it comes to bariatric (weight loss) surgery.

If you want peace of mind when going in for the surgery, we recommend you get help from one of the finest teams of bariatric surgeons over at Dr Feiz. Their years of experience and expertise in the field can help you get the best possible outcome.

So, without further ado, let's dive in!

The Safest Form of Weight Loss Surgery:

Gastric sleeve vs gastric bypass has been the debate among people for the longest time. They are the most common weight-loss operations performed for quite some time now. However, if you want to go for the safest, most simple option, gastric banding is for you. It is even reversible!

What is Gastric Banding?

Gastric banding is a surgery that reduces the size of your stomach by placing an adjustable silicone band around the top part of your stomach. The strap makes you feel full after eating just a small amount of food, so you eat less and lose weight over time. Since the size of the stomach has shrunk, the stomach fills quicker than usual. The risk factor of this surgery is the lowest among all bariatric surgeries; however, the weight loss is also less than the other procedures mentioned earlier.

Here are a few facts about gastric banding:

• The surgery is minimally invasive and reversible, which means you can have the band removed at any time
• The strap can also be adjusted according to your needs, varying the size of the stomach
• The surgery can lead to weight loss and even improve diabetes; however, the results vary from person to person
• You are instructed to strictly take a liquid-based diet immediately after the surgery with a slow reintroduction to soft foods over the next six weeks.

Post-Op Care and Diet:

Speaking of a liquid-based diet, you are required to avoid eating anything for the first one to two weeks; this is so the stomach can heal and nurse back to health as it is in a compromised state after the surgery. The diet includes water and clear drinks packed with nutrients, sometimes thin soups. Up till the end of 4 weeks, you can eat pureed foods and liquids like soft vegetables. Usually, after six weeks, you can resume regular food again; however, it is advised to ask your doctor before taking any step.

It is also advised to rest after weight loss surgery as undertaking any strenuous task can rupture the wound and irritate the incision point. You are sometimes required to take a stool softener for the first few weeks to prevent stress on the gut.

You have many options for Bariatric Surgery; however, gastric banding is by far your simplest and safest bet. If you are looking for a weight loss surgery that carries minimal risks and can be undone at any point in life, then gastric banding is the way to go. However, it is best to take advice from your doctors over at Dr Feiz before deciding anything, as they have your best interest in mind. If you made it to the end of this blog, we believe you are more than ready to take on Bariatric Surgery and emerge victorious on the other side!

Read more:- Explaining Gastric Bypass - an Effective Weight Loss Surgery

For further information, please visit the FAQs section below.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How long does a gastric band stay in for?

The gastric band can stay in permanently if you like. When it is implanted, people usually don't get it removed, although it is removable. You can have it uninstalled at any time.

How quickly do you lose weight with a gastric band?

The amount of weight you lose varies from person to person. However, many people report losing around half a pound to two pounds per week while the surgery is effective. So, by six months, you can expect to lose anywhere from 25 to 50 pounds.

How do you know if your lap band is leaking?

If you are having trouble eating solid foods or vomiting, then it is likely that your lap band has leaked. Other symptoms of a leaking band include rapid heart rate, dizziness, worsening abdominal pain, fever, and shortness of breath. Leaking bands can often be fixed with a simple surgery.