Understanding Surgical Weight Loss

Obesity causes a lot of different illnesses including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and certain cancers. UnityPoint Health - Des Moines offers Bariatric surgery to help people that are suffering from obesity and have ran out of other weight loss alternatives. The people that fall into this category are people with a body mass index over 40.

There are two main types of bariatric surgery: gastric bypass surgery and adjustable gastric banding. Gastric bypass surgery permanently reduces the size of the stomach. Adjustable gastric bypass surgery involves placing a band around the opening of the stomach. Having a smaller opening creates a smaller stomach, which causes a person to eat less. This band can be removed in the future.

Surgical weight loss is a very serious decision. A doctor should be consulted before coming to a decision of whether or not to do it. Many people face chronic illnesses from their obesity, and having surgical weight loss may be the fastest and best way for them to get back to a healthy state of living. After surgery, a patient may still need medical attention to help them recover from their heavy weight.

UnityPoint Health - Des Moines has a support group for people that need help making a decision on whether or not to go through with surgery. For more information, please visit the Weight Management Classes & Events section. (http://www.iowahealth.org/classes-and-events.aspx?typeid=16&id=35)