What is Difference Between Overweight and Morbid Obesity Two Videos and A Blog Discuss Gastric Bypass Surgery the Complications and Benefits

Could it kill me? There are four types of weight loss operations that are commonly offered in the United States. People are perfectly justified in weighing the risks and benefits when they think about the feasibility of having weight loss surgery such as gastric bypass surgery. Here are two videos and a web site where you can read, watch and hear thoughtful advice about weight loss and gastric bypass surgery. Obesity especially what's called "morbid obesity" can increase the risk of health problems. For example, many very obese people can have high blood pressure which is itself an increased risk for stroke and heart attack. On the other hand, weight loss surgery or any surgery also has risks such as reaction to anesthesia and complications from surgery.











There are four types of weight loss operations that are commonly offered in the United States:

Adjustable gastric band

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass,

Biliopancreatic diversion with a duodenal switch

Vertical sleeve gastrectomy.

Adjustable Gastric Band works primarily by decreasing food intake. Food intake is limited by placing a small bracelet-like band around the top of the stomach to produce a small pouch about the size of a thumb. The outlet size is controlled by a circular balloon inside the band that can be inflated or deflated with saline solution to meet the needs of the patient.

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Roux-en-Y gastric bypass works by restricting food intake and by decreasing the absorption of food. Food intake is limited by a small pouch that is similar in size to the adjustable gastric band. In addition, absorption of food in the digestive tract is reduced by excluding most of the stomach, duodenum, and upper intestine from contact with food by routing food directly from the pouch into the small intestine. Biliopancreatic diversion with a duodenal switch, usually referred to as a “duodenal switch,” is a complex bariatric operation that principally includes 1) removing a large portion of the stomach to promote smaller meal sizes, 2) re-routing of food away from much of the small intestine to partially prevent absorption of food, and 3) re-routing of bile and other digestive juices which impair digestion.



In removing a large portion of the stomach, a more tubular “gastric sleeve” also known as a vertical sleeve gastrectomy, is created.The smaller stomach sleeve remains connected to a very short segment of the duodenum, which is then directly connected to a lower part of the small intestine. This operation leaves a small portion of the duodenum available for food and the absorption of some vitamins and minerals.






However, food that is eaten by the patient bypasses the majority of the duodenum. The distance between the stomach and colon is made much shorter after this operation, thus promoting malabsorption. Biliopancreatic diversion with a duodenal switch produces significant weight loss. However, there is greater risk of long-term complications because of decreased absorption of food, vitamins, and minerals. VSG historically had been performed only as the first stage of biliopancreatic diversion with a duodenal switch in patients who may be at high risk for complications from more extensive types of surgery. These patients’ high risk levels are due to body weight or medical conditions.


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More recent information indicates that some patients who undergo a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy can actually lose significant weight with VSG alone and avoid a second procedure. It is not yet known how many patients who undergo VSG alone will need a second stage procedure. A Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy operation restricts food intake and does not lead to decreased absorption of food. However, most of the stomach is removed, which may decrease production of a hormone called ghrelin. A decreased amount of ghrelin may reduce hunger more than other purely restrictive operations, such as gastric band.

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