Weight loss surgery is a rapidly developing area of medicine, and many have turned to weight loss surgery as a treatment for obesity. There are a number of different types of weight loss surgery that are offered today. Because of this fact, one needs to keep in mind that no one procedure has emerged for being “ideal” when it comes to the treatment of obesity. Each procedure has its own advantages, as well as potential problems and complications.

Types of Weight Loss Surgery Available

Today, there is a wide array of surgical procedures available for the treatment of obesity. Some of these include: Open Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, Micro pouch Gastric Bypass, Long Limb Gastric Bypass, Biliopancreatic Diversion, Gastric Band, Laparoscopic Gastric Band, Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band, Vertical Banded Gastroplasty and the Laparoscopic Vertical Banded Gastroplasty. (Note., there are 3 gastric band types on the market today--the American by Bionterics, the Swedish band by Obtech--Johnson & Johnson and the French band by MidBand.)

You and you alone, along with some guidance from a medical professional should decide if having surgery to help with your weight problem is the right answer. Having any type of surgery does present some risks. For instance, with Gastric Bypass it is reported that up to 20% of patients have needed to have corrective surgery because of complications such as the breakdown of the staple line and abdominal hernias. In addition, patients are at risk for developing gallstones.

Considering surgery to help you with your weight loss, is a serious decision. The National Institute of Health has developed somewhat of an outline to help in the determination. Generally if you are 100 pounds or more over your ideal weight, or have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or higher, or if, your BMI falls between 35--40, and you have one or more of the following obesity related conditions: Diabetes, Cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnea or degenerative joint disease, and if you've tried and failed to lose excess weight with diet and exercise, then you are a good candidate.