Obesity has become a serious problem in industrialized countries like the United States. How does industrialization figure into it? Well, with ready availability of food, and the wealth of machinery to help us do our work, it has become increasingly easy to get energy (by eating), and increasingly hard to use energy (by working).

Obesity is a leading risk factor for a number of disorders. Two prime examples are heart disease, and diabetes. A healthy diet, and regular exercise are the leaders in the battle with, and the reversing of obesity. However, for some people, diet and exercise for weight loss are not enough. In these difficult cases, when health becomes an issue, weight loss surgery may be a good option.

To qualify for weight loss surgery a person must have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher. An individual with a BMI of 25 to 29 is considered to be overweight. A person having a BMI of 30 or more is considered to be obese.

Surgery for weight loss may also be recommended for people with a BMI of 35 to 39 who have existing conditions that weight loss can improve. A couple of examples would be hypertension, or diabetes.

There are a number of different surgical procedures available for weight loss. One of the most common procedures is called stomach stapling. With this procedure, surgery is performed that reduces the size of the stomach. This limits the amount of food a person may consume in one sitting, and slows down the passage of food into the small intestine, where the nutrients are absorbed. Weight loss, after undergoing stomach stapling, will occur when the patient follows a healthy diet, with controlled consumption, and engages in regular physical activity. In order to prevent vomiting, a common side effect, the patient should be sure to chew their food thoroughly, and refrain from eating too quickly.

Stomach stapling may also be used in combination with a bypass procedure. In this case, the digestive tract is also reconstructed to reduce the absorption of nutrients from food. This combined procedure is called gastric bypass surgery. The gastric bypass procedure is usually more successful than stomach stapling alone. These surgeries are not without risk. Just as with any other form of surgery, gastric bypass procedures carry the risk of infection, hemorrhage, and other complications. In addition, gastric bypass surgery also offers some unique risks of its own. The surgical site itself may leak, or scar tissue may so severely reduce the opening of the stomach that not even liquids will be able to pass through it. Additional surgery may be required to correct these complications.

Another procedure for weight loss surgery is called adjustable gastric banding. This procedure places a silicon band around the top of the stomach. This band helps to create a pouch inside the stomach that quickly fills with food, and sends a fullness signal to the brain, prompting the person to stop eating. A person with an adjustable gastric band will feel full sooner, eats less, and over time, effectively lose weight.

It is important for the adjustable gastric band to be adjusted correctly, and periodically, for the patient to achieve the greatest benefit. In some patients, the adjustable gastric bands will cause them to experience regurgitation of food from the stomach. The narrow portion of the stomach created by the band may also become blocked if food is not chewed well enough, or is consumed too quickly. Other complications that may develop include leaking, damage to stomach tissue caused by the band, and slipping of the band over the lower portion of the stomach. Fortunately, these complications are rare.

If you think you may quality for, and benefit from surgery for weight loss, seek the counsel and advice of your doctor, or health care provider. Weight loss Surgery may be the key to a new,healthier you, and in some cases a real lifesaver.