What is Bariatric Surgery?
Bariatric surgery is a surgery performed to lose weight. Bariatric surgery can help diminish appetite, so you eat less and feel full more quickly on less food.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Bariatric Surgery?
A good candidate for bariatric surgery is a person with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 40 or a BMI greater than 35 with accompanying medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, or gallbladder disease. A person considering bariatric surgery should also be committed to practicing healthy eating, exercise, and lifestyle habits.
Types of Bariatric Surgery
There are several types of bariatric surgery, many of which are endoscopic procedures. Endoscopic bariatric procedures require less recovery time, are less painful, and have a lower risk of complications. The most common types of bariatric surgery are:
- Gastric balloon(Obera), which involves placing a silicone balloon in your stomach to take up stomach volume so you feel full and eat less
- Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), which involves placing stitches inside the stomach to reduce up to 70 percent of stomach volume
- Bariatric Weight Loss Revision (TORe) –which works for previous bariatric weight loss patients. It is a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure that helps those that have regained weight after previous weight loss procedure.
How Bariatric Surgery Can Help You
Diet and exercise are difficult to maintain, and bariatric surgery offers another tool for weight loss. When you lose weight with bariatric surgery and other methods, it can help to:
- Reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, breathing difficulties, joint pain, and other medical issues
- Improve your ability to move and stay active to enhance your quality of life
- Enhance your self-esteem, self-confidence, and overall happiness
Want To Know More About Bariatric Surgery and How It Can Improve Your Health?
To discover more about bariatric surgery and how it can improve your health, call Dr. Ahmed Maher at Digestive Disease Physicians in Alexandria, VA. They offer individualized care and timely appointments (virtual or in person) and procedures. You can reach them in the office by calling (703) 751-5763, so call today.
