Top 4 Weight Loss Transformation Surgery
Many people have become more driven when it comes to weight loss. It has become so popular that a whole industry is dedicated to catering to people's weight loss needs. In that sense, weight loss seems easier now as there are more available solutions out there. However, every individual has specific requirements regarding shedding off weight and finding the proper regimen for you may be a difficult task.
Moreover, traditional methods of losing weight like diet and exercise, while still effective, may not be enough in accomplishing your goals. That is why many start their transformation with weight loss surgery. Of course, the operation is not the end all be all of their weight loss journey. One still needs to dedicate themselves to a healthy lifestyle. Although, weight loss surgery can kick start the process for them.
If you are one of those people who struggle to shed off the weight with traditional means, here are some of the weight loss surgeries you may opt for. However, if you seem to be sceptical about the effectiveness of these procedures for your body transformation, here are also stories of people who achieved their goals with the help of these alternative solutions.
Gastric Bypass Surgery
Weight loss surgery also referred to as bariatric surgery, can either be restrictive or malabsorptive. Restrictive surgeries reduce the size of the stomach, which limits the amount of food you can eat. On the other hand, malabsorptive surgeries remove a portion of the digestive tract, restricting the body's absorption of calories.
Gastric bypass surgery combines both restrictive and malabsorptive techniques. The procedure divides the stomach into an upper and lower portion. The small upper pouch stores the food you eat, limiting the amount of food you can intake at a time. It also involves cutting a short distance of the small intestine, where the upper part of the stomach is then attached. As a result, the food bypasses a part of the stomach and small intestine, so your body absorbs fewer calories.
Gastric bypass is one of the typical weight loss surgeries for body transformation, with many opting to undergo the procedure. It is so common that even one family in Singapore decided to go ahead with the process.
Credits: Straits Times
Madam Salmah Ahmad, 63, and her husband, Samad Said, 69, decided to undergo gastric bypass surgery upon their doctors' advice. Both had diabetes and hypertension. Mr Said also had high cholesterol and, in the past, underwent operations for diabetes-related complications, such as leg infections.
After the procedure, Madam Salmah dropped from 105kg to 74kg, while Mr Samatwent went from 125kg to 96kg. As a result, they no longer take medication for diabetes and other health conditions.
Optimistic about the effectiveness of the surgery, the couple persuaded their daughter, Sakdah Samat, 38, to undergo it as well. Weighing 160kg at her heaviest, Ms Sakdah experienced frequent breathlessness and suffered asthma attacks. She now weighs 89kg and lifted from the problems caused by her weight.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Sleeve gastrectomy is a restrictive weight loss surgery that removes 75% of the stomach. The remaining section of the stomach is formed into a narrow tubelike, banana-shaped sleeve, limiting the food you can store. The procedure also reduces the production of the appetite-regulating hormone ghrelin. It does not change the body's absorption of calories and nutrients; instead, it helps lessen your craving for food.
Much like gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy is a popular weight loss surgery for body transformation. The reason is that it is an effective way to alter eating habits and produce immediate results. This was the case for Belmond Lee.
Credits: Straits Times
Two years ago, Lee weighed 146kg, with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 44, which signifies he's morbidly obese. At age 19, he was already suffering from intense back and knee pain due to his excess body weight.
He was given by his doctor a weight loss regimen, which required him to eat less and exercise more, along with some weight loss medication. Despite sticking with the strict program, Lee only lost about 5kg. He then decided to take on his doctor's suggestion of undergoing sleeve gastrectomy.
Le lost around 71kg after his procedure. Although he still experiences a bit of back pain, his knees are no longer a problem. The surgery also drastically changed his eating habits. Now, he only consumes appetisers and snack-sized portions while sharing the main course with another person. He feels nauseous once he eats too quickly or too fast. Lee still gets to enjoy various types of food but in smaller portions.
Gastric Balloon Procedure
Credits: Doctor X Dentist
Gastric balloons, also known as weight loss balloons, are non-invasive procedures, meaning they don't require surgery. These are inflatable silicone balloons placed in the stomach that help limit the amount of food you can eat. It is usually placed using an endoscope, though there's a swallowable variant that you can ingest with a glass of water and doesn't require endoscopy. The balloon is then filled with sterilised water. As it takes up space in your stomach, the balloon makes you feel fuller faster during meals. In turn, it helps to reduce the urge to eat more as you feel full for an extended period.
Unlike bariatric surgeries, gastric balloons are temporary, lasting around four to six months inside the stomach. You are then undergoing lifestyle change with diet and exercise.
Gastric balloon procedure is relatively new in Singapore and Malaysia. With that said, it has gained recognition as an effective way to kick start body transformation. It's also a great alternative solution for people who don't want to alter their digestive tract with invasive surgery.
The first case of weight loss with a swallowable weight loss balloon was with Ms Nur Shahida Suhaimi. The 35-year-old mother of two struggled to conceive a third child due to her weight of 106kg and a BMI above 32.5, categorising her as obese.
Not wanting to undergo bariatric surgery, Ms Shahida opted to have a gastric balloon placed in her stomach. She reportedly lost nearly 15kg after 16 weeks with the help of the gastric balloon along with a diet and exercise regimen. To learn more about this gastric balloon, click here
Gastric Banding Surgery
Laparoscopic gastric banding, more commonly known as gastric banding, places an adjustable silicone band around the upper part of the stomach, decreasing stomach size and reducing food intake. The band is placed by using laparoscopy, involving minor cuts in the abdomen area.
A plastic tube is attached to the silicon band, where saline is injected to inflate the band. The tube is accessible through a port under the skin, allowing the solution to flow in and out of the band. This way, the band can be tightened or loosened to improve weight loss and reduce side effects.
As mentioned, a smaller stomach pouch reduces the amount of food your stomach can hold at a time. It also makes you feel full despite consuming smaller portions of food. Furthermore, it reduces hunger and helps lower your overall food intake.
Gastric banding surgery is found to help lose about 35% to 45% of excess weight. However, there are not many reported cases of people undergoing the said procedure. It is no longer commonly performed because of its high failure rate. The surgery often produces varying results among patients. The results can also be reversible, where the stomach goes back to the original size by eliminating the band.
Those are some of the weight loss surgeries and procedures you can opt to undergo to kick start your transformation. With that said, these solutions are more recommended for more severe cases of excess weight and obesity. You can still try to start your weight loss journey through traditional means as it's still a valid solution for shedding off weight.
An example of a natural weight loss success story is that of Singaporean mom Jeni Lim. With a weight of 88kg and a BMI of 35, she was considered obese. During her pregnancy, Lim weighed 55kg and was not able to lose it afterwards. Her children became her motivation to start losing weight.
Lim started a strict low-calorie diet. Here, she was only allowed to consume 500 calories a day, with no carbs, oil, and sugar. She was also only allowed to eat 100g of meat each meal. The diet helped her lose 18kg within two months. Lim then paired this with Zumba, leading to 12kg weight loss in the next eight months. Within 13 months, she went from 85kg to 49kg. Read more about her story here.
So, it is possible to meet your weight goals by dedicating yourself to a diet and exercise regimen. However, as established, some people have difficulty losing weight with diet and exercise alone, thus opting for alternative solutions. Regardless, it would be best if you had a shift towards a healthier lifestyle to maintain your good results.