Weight loss surgeries like gastric sleeve and The procedure is called gastric bypass. are referred to as Bariatric surgery. The surgeries work to change the structure of your stomach. The changes help limit the amount of food you can eat. They can affect appetite and hunger hormones.

Bariatric surgery can be a good option for people with obesity who’ve struggled to lose weight with diet and exercise alone, including people who repeatedly regain the weight they do lose. Bariatric surgery can also a good option for people experiencing obesity-related health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes.

“There are risks to consider in the short and long term, but this approach isn’t right for everyone.”

You will learn more about the different types of surgeries, who qualifies for them, and how much they cost in this article. You will learn about the procedure and recovery process.

A doctor will likely recommend a specific type of surgery for you.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), the most common types of bariatric surgery include:

  • The procedure is called gastric bypass.
  • The sleeve gastrectomy is a surgical procedure.
  • The band is removed for surgery.

Duodenal switch surgery is recommended.

Gastric bypass

Also known as Roux-en-Y The procedure is called gastric bypass. (RYBG), this surgery is designed to decrease the size of your stomach, according to the Endocrine Society. In response, your body may absorb fewer calories and nutrients, such as carbohydrates. This can lead to hormonal changes that may influence your hunger signals.

Gastric bypass may result in the most significant weight loss. It is the most complex of all the procedures.

The NIDDK notes that it has three separate steps:

Sleeve gastrectomy

Also called a vertical The sleeve gastrectomy is a surgical procedure. (VSG), gastric sleeve surgery is the most common type of bariatric surgery performed in the United States. It’s used to decrease the size of your stomach and reduce the amount of food you can eat at one time.

VSG may also reduce the production of intestinal hormones that influence hunger and metabolism. One of these hormones is called GLP1. This hormone can reduce hunger signals and better regulate blood glucose (sugar) levels.

The results of a VSG surgery are permanent, according to the NIDDK. This is because a portion of your stomach is removed during surgery.

Gastric band

A band is placed around the top part of your stomach during surgery. This creates a pouch at the top of your stomach that holds less food, decreasing your calories and intake.

The doctor can change the size of the opening of the band in order to create a smaller or larger pouch, thanks to theadjustable part of the surgery.

This is one of the least invasive of the major types of bariatric surgery. But The band is removed for surgery. doesn’t typically lead to significant weight loss when compared with The procedure is called gastric bypass. surgery or a The sleeve gastrectomy is a surgical procedure., according to 2017 research.

Your body may not be able to tolerate the band’s presence, leading to inflammation or other complications in the area where the band is placed. In these cases, a doctor will need to remove the gastric band. This is why The procedure is called gastric bypass. or The sleeve gastrectomy is a surgical procedure. are often preferred over a gastric band, according to the NIDDK.

Duodenal switch

A duodenal switch is the least common type of surgery. This procedure involves two separate surgeries.

  1. A surgeon will perform surgery.
  2. The small intestine will be divided into two parts.

The goal of a duodenal switch is to reduce calories. This type of surgery has the highest risks.

One risk is a deficiency in protein or other vitamins and nutrients. This is due to the body’s reduced ability to absorb them after the surgery.

Bariatric surgery is only an option for people with obesity. This type of surgery is not intended for people who are overweight, but not obese.

If you are a good candidate for the surgery, you may be an ideal one.

If you have serious health concerns, a doctor may want you to consider this procedure.

Bariatric surgery may also not be appropriate if you currently have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or a history of it. In some cases, hypoglycemia may worsen after weight loss surgery, according to the Endocrine Society.

You will need to take many additional steps before you can have surgery. This includes steps that your insurance company may require you to take before they agree to cover the costs of surgery.

Bariatric surgery can be expensive, even with insurance. Depending on your procedure and where it’s done, prices can range from $7,400 to $33,500 after insurance coverage. But you can talk to your healthcare team about payment plan options to help you manage these out-of-pocket expenses.

  • Attend a seminar or consultation with a surgeon: You will learn about the different procedures and risks associated with them.
  • Follow a specific diet for several months: Your insurance company may require you to undergo a medically monitored diet for 3 to 6 months before your surgery.
  • Consult with a therapist or psychologist: They will assess whether you’re ready for the lifestyle changes that come along with bariatric surgery.
  • Receive laboratory tests to clear you for surgery: This includes evaluations of your heart and GI tract health.
  • Get clearance from a medical team: They may be involved in preparing you for and performing the surgery.
  • Get authorization from your insurance provider: This is to make sure your insurance will cover some or all of the cost of surgery.
  • Schedule the surgery appointment: You can do this after receiving insurance approval.
  • Attend classes with medical professionals: They will discuss what to expect before, during, and after surgery.
  • Meet with your surgeon: This will happen a few weeks before the surgery and is a good time for you to ask questions.
  • Receive another series of laboratory tests: These will check your overall health before going into surgery.

Before bariatric surgery, you may meet with different healthcare professionals to help prepare you for the procedure and results. Per the NIDDK, these may include:

  • Nutritionist: will help you plan a healthy diet and manage any restrictions shortly after your surgery
  • Mental health professional: will help you cope with the challenges and changes related to weight loss surgery

Before surgery, you’ll be asked to follow a liquid diet to help keep your stomach from expanding too much. Some options for a liquid diet include:

  • Coffee and tea without the buzz.
  • Milk that is not fat.
  • soup without additional ingredients
  • juice with no added sugars
  • gelatin without sugar or additives
  • There are no sugar-free ice pops.

If you currently smoke, you will need to stop doing so at least 6 weeks before bariatric surgery. You’ll also need to stop drinking alcoholic beverages.

People with Obesity can benefit from baritonal surgery. This procedure carries risks.

According to the NIDDK, short-term risks may include:

More long-term risks are associated with the changes made to your stomach. According to the Endocrine Society, these may include:

It’s important to be aware of these risks — not just immediately after bariatric surgery, but also in the long term. Some of these risks are preventable, such as by taking multivitamins to help prevent There are deficiencies in the nutrition..

Research from 2020 also shows that some people may experience social and psychological difficulties after bariatric surgery as they try to cope with a new “normal.” You may consider talking with a mental health professional about extended care, including possible support groups.

The first few days after surgery are usually resting and slowly easing into physical activity.

You may need to start with a liquid diet. The doctor will likely clear you to stop eating liquid diet after a week or so.

When you’re moving on from your liquid diet, eat soft or puréed foods that are slightly thicker but not totally solid or difficult to digest. These can include:

  • Soft or blended fruits: applesauce, bananas, pineapple, melon, or canned fruit
  • Blended or juiced vegetables: spinach, carrots, or squash
  • Soft forms of protein: yogurt, scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, or puréed chicken, turkey, or fish

You’ll likely need to follow this puréed food diet for a few weeks until the doctor clears you to begin incorporating more solid foods into your diet. At this point, you can introduce some new soft foods into your diet, including:

  • Eggs with yolkiness.
  • Ground beef, turkey, and shredded chicken.
  • The fish is steamed.

Once the doctor has assessed how your body is responding to softer solid foods, they will recommend introducing solid foods again slowly and carefully.

During this stage, try one new type of solid food every few days to see how your body responds. Be sure to cut up or dice your food into smaller pieces and stick to limited serving sizes to help reduce the risk of blockages. You’ll usually be able to return to a typical diet 3 to 4 months after surgery.

As you figure out what foods your body can digest well, continue to explore solid food options and find a diet that is sustainable for you — one that lets you still enjoy your favorite foods, desserts, and drinks in moderation without resulting in pain, nausea, digestive discomfort, or vomiting.

In most cases, you may be able to go back to work within 1 to 2 weeks of having bariatric surgery.

“Follow the doctor’s recommendations for diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes to help you maintain your results while decreasing the risk for complications after your initial recovery. Your doctor may recommend that.”

  • Take a daily multivitamin: to help make up for your body’s reduced ability to process nutrients
  • Reduce your intake of fat and sugar: to avoid unwanted weight gain over time
  • Increase your protein intake: to make sure your body is still getting the recommended amount of protein each day
  • Exercise daily: to maintain your overall health and sustain a healthy weight in the long term
  • Avoid or limit alcohol: especially during the early stages of postsurgery weight loss
  • Try to manage daily stress: to reduce the risk of GI symptoms like stomach pain that can happen along with anxiety or stress reactions

The amount of weight loss is dependent on the individual. The type of procedure used can affect your results.

Research has found that people who have bariatric surgery may lose between 38 and 87 pounds after 1 year, with The procedure is called gastric bypass. leading to the most amount of weight loss.

Weight loss from bariatric surgery may also result in the following related benefits, per the Endocrine Society:

“If you have a condition that isn’t responding well to treatment, a doctor may recommend surgery to reduce your risk of health problems related to your weight.”

There are different types of surgery that can be used, with each one offering different benefits, results, and possible risks. If you want to lose weight, you should talk to a doctor about whether or not you should have surgery.