Pros and Cons of Invasive Weight Loss Surgery
Obesity can often lead to serious health complications. People with a body mass index of 25 and above are more likely to have medical issues. This includes diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, liver disease, and joint disorders.
Weight loss surgery can support extremely overweight people who have attempted but failed to lose weight and are facing severe medical issues. But this isn't a fast fix. People still need to put in the hard work before and after the procedure.
Most of the popular weight-loss surgeries are invasive in nature. This refers to medical procedures that invade or enter the body, usually by cutting or puncturing the skin or by inserting instruments into the body. Some of the popular invasive weight loss surgeries are Gastric band which involves the placement of a band around the stomach to create a small pouch towards the top; Gastric bypass where surgical staples are used to create a small pouch at the top of the stomach; and Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty that uses an endoscopic suturing device to reduce the size of the stomach by up to 80 percent.
Depending on the patient’s health status and situation, each surgery for weight loss has different benefits for different people. Their pros and cons have been summarized and stated below.
Advantages of Invasive Weight Loss Surgery
One of the advantages of having invasive weight loss surgery is that it can result in drastic weight loss, as your dietary intake becomes limited. Also, a noticeable weight loss can be seen right after the surgery. With that said, the final results of the surgery can only be noticed after the recovery period.
In addition, invasive weight loss surgery can help doctors to measure and evaluate how much tissue or fat for the surgery - even examine the correct and proper placement of the material to use for the weight loss surgery.
It is important that such invasive weight loss surgeries are performed in a sterile environment. Furthermore, careful attention must be given to the timing of the procedures. Thus, careful monitoring of the patient is necessary alongside the detailed checking of their mental status before and after the procedure.
Disadvantages of Invasive Weight Loss Surgery
Due to their invasive nature, it is of no surprise for such surgeries to have their drawbacks. These drawbacks include discomfort, increased wound care, and a longer healing period.
Unlike minimally or even non-invasive weight loss surgeries, invasive weight loss procedures do require large incision areas. With this, the use of general anesthesia is required for the patient. There is also an expectation of having discomfort or pain after the surgery takes place.
The patient would also have to follow the postoperative care routine as instructed by their doctors. This is to ensure that there will be no further health complications after the surgery. The doctor will give the patient the list of and do’s and don’ts for a swift recovery period.
When compared to other weight loss procedures like the non-invasive and minimally invasive, invasive weight loss surgeries require a longer healing period. Because of this, it is recommended for the patient to devise a concrete plan before undergoing the surgery. Additionally, booking a consultation with a trusted healthcare professional should be on top of their list for a detailed explanation about the weight loss surgery.
Alternatives to Weight Loss Surgeries
Obesity isn’t just a physical concern but also is a health issue. According to the World Health Organization, obesity is preventable, which is why checking the body mass index provides an important guide for determining one’s health. In addition to checking the BMI, individuals should also start devising diet plans and exercise routines, which are effective components that will help further aid weight loss.
Other alternatives to weight loss surgeries could be minimally invasive and non-invasive procedures. Minimally invasive procedures require small incisions and have a minimum duration of the recovery period, while non-invasive procedures, as the name suggests, do not require any penetration of the skin or body.
One of the upcoming weight loss procedures is the use of gastric balloons. Some gastric balloons are minimally invasive, and this is because of the use of endoscopy for the placement and removal of the balloons. However, Allurion is a non-invasive gastric balloon procedure that doesn’t require endoscopy or anesthesia. This balloon, which comes in the form of a capsule, is easy to swallow with water. Upon entering the stomach, a quick x-ray will be conducted by the doctor to ensure that the capsule is in its proper place before filling it with fluid. With the balloon inside the stomach, a feeling of fullness will be created, which in turn prevents the patient from eating too much. To check the specifications and benefits of the Allurion Balloon, you can click here for details.