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San Antonio Weight
Loss Surgery
The idea of weight loss surgery,
or bariatric surgery, was developed in the 1950's and has
been revised over time to be a safe and effective treatment
for morbid obesity. The first laparoscopic gastric bypass
in history was performed by Dr. Alan Wittgrove of San Diego,
California (mentor to Dr. Cavazos, our medical director) in
1993. In 2005, an estimated 175,000 people in the United
States underwent bariatric surgery, according to the
American Society for Bariatric Surgery.
Currently, there are three basic approaches to weight loss
surgery: restrictive operations, malabsorptive operations,
and operations that are a combination of the two.
Restrictive procedures (such as a LapBand®)
simply restrict the amount of food that one can eat.
Malabsorptive procedures (such as an intestinal bypass)
allow patients to eat as much as they want, but the amount
of food that is absorbed by the intestine is decreased.
Combination procedures (such as a gastric bypass) are
partially restrictive and partially malabsorptive. Some
procedures give patients the feeling of satisfaction after
eating just a small amount of food.
Open vs. Laparoscopic
Procedures
Bariatric surgery may
be performed using an open technique (larger incision) or by
a laparoscopic technique. The laparoscopic technique is the
preferred method for most patients. It is a "minimally
invasive" approach that involves several very small
incisions.
It generally results in less scarring, less
pain, and a quicker recovery from surgery.
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Laparoscopy
Surgery |
Open
Surgery |
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Types of Weight Loss Surgery
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Risks
of Weight Loss Surgery
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Benefits of Weight Loss Surgery
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Am I a Candidate for Surgery
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Calculate your BMI
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The Body
Mass Index (BMI) is a calculation derived from your height
and weight. It is commonly used to categorize weight as
follows:
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Normal : |
BMI 18.0-24.9 |
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Overweight : |
BMI 25.0-29.9 |
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Obese : |
BMI 30.0-39.9 |
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Morbidly Obese : |
BMI 40.0 or
higher |
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Calculate your BMI
Prior Weight Loss
Surgery
If you have
had a weight loss surgery in the past and are still morbidly
obese, you may qualify for a "revision." Some revision
operations can be performed laparoscopically and some
cannot, due to scarring from the prior operation. You would
need to meet with one of our surgeons to discuss whether or
not this would be an option for you.
Smoking
Smoking can
increase your risk of having complications after an
operation. If you smoke, our program internist can help you
through the cessation process.
Age
There is not
necessarily an upper age limit for who is a potential
candidate for weight loss surgery. The risks and benefits
of having an operation will need to be considered on an
individual basis by your surgeon.
The youngest patients
to be considered for surgery are in their teens. Studies have demonstrated
that adolescents have excellent results after weight loss surgery.
Careful consultation with a pediatrician and perhaps other specialists,
as well as the involvement of parents, is a definite requirement.
Again, the surgeon will make the determination after consideration of
your medical history and input from all parties involved.
Related Links
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www.bariatricedge.com
www.asbs.org
www.weightlosssurgeryinfo.com
www.obesityaction.org |
