Lose weight fast with Gastric Bypass, Gastric Sleeve, or Lap-Band
We all know that losing weight is hard. But for some people being overweight has been a life long struggle. What if there was a way to lose weight permanently? What if there was a way you could lose weight fast and keep it off—without being hungry? What if you could lose 30 – 80% of your excess body weight with a safe, FDA-approved procedure that was covered by your insurance or financed? Weight loss surgery is all of this and more. If you are more than 50 pounds overweight, then your answer might be weight loss surgery.
Weight loss surgery is a solution for obese persons who have been unable to lose weight through other means. During weight loss surgery, the surgeon makes alterations to your gastric anatomy. These alterations make your stomach incapable of holding more than a couple of ounces of food at a time and your body unable to absorb all of the nutrients that you consume. These factors cause you to lose weight rapidly after weight loss surgery.
Am I a candidate for weight loss surgery?
Weight loss surgery is only for very obese persons with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more or a BMI of 35 or more with certain weight-related complications such as
type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or other disorders as identified by your weight loss surgery doctor.
Check your BMI with the BMI calculator on the right to see if you might be a candidate for weight loss surgery, and review Am I a Weight Loss Surgery Candidate? for more information.
Is weight loss surgery safe?
Research indicates that weight loss surgery is just as safe as other major surgeries.
In fact, studies show that obese patients who have weight loss surgery have a longer life expectancy and quality of life than obese patients who do not have weight loss surgery.
Only a qualified weight loss surgeon can determine if weight loss surgery is right for you.
For most patients, weight loss surgery increases life expectancy and quality of life.
Can weight loss surgery help me with type 2 diabetes, cancer, or high blood pressure?
Study after study shows that weight loss surgery reduces the incidence of weight-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes and certain cancers, and in the case of diabetes, often reverses or eliminates the disease entirely. In studies, up to 77% of patients with type 2 diabetes saw a complete reversal of their disease after having weight loss surgery.
Can weight loss surgery improve my symptoms of metabolic syndrome?
Metabolic syndrome is not a disease; it is an obesity-related series of risk factors, including insulin resistance, excessive abdominal fat, excessive fat levels circulating in the blood (cholesterol), and hypertension. Patients with metabolic syndrome are prone to suffer from many illnesses, including diabetes, stroke, and heart disease.
If you are diagnosed with or are at significant risk for developing metabolic syndrome, aggressive measures are necessary to reverse the symptoms. One method that doctors often recommend is weight loss surgery. Weight loss surgery provides fast and effective weight loss for most obese patients. Several studies have shown that weight loss surgery helps metabolic syndrome sufferers lose weight and regain their health.
How much does weight loss surgery cost? What about insurance and financing?
Weight loss surgery costs vary depending on the type of surgery you undergo, the experience level of the surgeon, the geographic location in which you have the surgery, and the facility where you have the weight loss surgery.
Typical fees for weight loss surgery in the United States range from $10,000 – $35,000. Depending on the type of surgery and your plan, insurance will often cover much of the cost of weight loss surgery. Many surgeons also work with medical financing companies so that you can pay for your weight loss surgery over time.
There are several weight loss surgery types. Only your weight loss surgeon can tell you which weight loss surgery option is right for you. Weight loss surgery options include the following:
Review the Weight Loss Surgery Options page or the links above to find out more information about each of the weight loss surgery types.
What happens after weight loss surgery?
Of course, you lose weight. Patients can expect to lose between 30 – 80% of their excess body weight within two years of undergoing weight loss surgery.
Patients can expect to lose between 30 – 80% of their excess body weight within two years after weight loss surgery.
Weight loss surgery is a major surgery and carries with it the discomfort and temporary physical limitations of any major surgery. In addition, weight loss surgery requires lifestyle changes that include adhering to dietary guidelines and attending follow-up visits with your weight loss surgery specialists.
Weight loss surgery diets vary depending upon the type of surgery that you have and the instructions of your particular surgeon and dietitian. The information that you read online might differ from the diet that you receive from your weight loss surgery specialists. Be sure to follow the instructions that you receive from your weight loss surgery team over anything that you might read elsewhere. However, in general, the following dietary guidelines are typical after weight loss surgery:
Time Frame
Foods
Examples
first few days
clear liquids
diluted apple juice, broth, gelatin
first couple of weeks
full liquids
cream soups, protein shakes, dairy products such as yogurt and milk
after first couple of weeks
pureed foods
small protein-rich meals; gradually adding soft foods such as eggs and oatmeal
after four – eight weeks
normal foods
healthy foods, eaten slowly and chewed thoroughly
See Weight Loss Surgery Diet for more detailed information on the types of foods that you can eat after weight loss surgery.
Controlling weight after weight loss surgery
Your weight after weight loss surgery is largely dependant on your adherence to your new dietary and lifestyle patterns. Follow-up visits with your weight loss surgery specialists including your surgeon and dietitian are essential to losing weight and keeping it off. Diet, a sensible exercise plan, and support from your friends, family, or a support group will have you well on your way to a thinner and healthier body.
This page provides a brief overview about some of the main points of weight loss surgery. Explore the menu options above left to review detailed information about weight loss surgery.
