Anyone considering a bariatric surgical procedure for weight loss should conduct thorough research into the various types of surgery available.

This is especially important given the constantly advancing nature of the bariatric field of medicine. For example, a new gastric banding product was recently approved for use in the United States. Patients considering weight loss surgery should therefore be aware of:

• The various types of surgical procedures available
• The success rates associated with each type of surgery
• The possible risks associated with each procedure
• The average level of weight loss of each type
• The costs of the different procedures (and whether insurance will cover it)

Obviously, there is more to learn when considering weight loss surgery, or any other medical treatment for that matter. But these are some of the most important criteria to consider before making any decisions.

The field of bariatrics has become increasingly complex over the years. These days, there are more types of surgery (and variations of each type) than ever before. But we can simplify things by grouping most of these procedures into one of two categories:

Gastric Bypass Procedures - Most people are familiar with this type of weight loss surgery because it has been around the longest. During a gastric bypass a small portion of the stomach is stapled off, making it essentially unusable. The intestine is then reattached to the smaller portion of the stomach. This reduces the stomach capacity, which in turn leads to weight loss.

Gastric Banding Procedures - With this approach to bariatric surgery, a band is placed around the upper part of the stomach using small incisions and laparoscopic techniques. This accomplishes the same “partition” effect as the gastric bypass, but it does so in a less invasive way. The LAP-BAND System is a popular form of this procedure, and the Realize Band (manufactured by a Johnson and Johnson company) was recently approved for use in the U.S. as well.

In my perspective, the best way to conduct further research into the various forms of bariatric surgery is to start with the two main categories listed above. Learn about the pros and cons of each, the risks associated with them, patient recovery rates, etc. After that, you can get more specific in researching the exact type of procedure you think you might pursue.

Brandon Cornett is the publisher of Bariatric Learning Center, an educational website that covers all aspects of surgery for weight loss and related topics. Learn more by visiting http://www.bariatriclearningcenter.com

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Lately, it seems the “topic du jour” within the realm of weight loss surgery is the notion of low cost bariatric surgery. And why wouldn’t it be? We are a nation of bargain shoppers, are we not?

I’m not here to tell you that you shouldn’t try to save money in this life. Instead, I’m here to tell you that saving money should not be your number-one criteria when choosing a bariatric surgeon. In other words, low cost bariatric surgery should not be your primary focus. The quality of the surgery (and the surgeon providing it) should be your focus.

There are certain things in life that we want to get for cheap — electronics, cars, houses, etc. When shopping for these things, we usually weight the quality against the price. Sometimes, if we are on a budget, we will put more emphasis on the cost side of things, seeking low cost items instead.

But when it comes to our health, it’s wise to put more emphasis on quality of care than the cost associated with it. Sure, you should be financially responsible when considering surgery. You should also do your research to find out how much of the procedure your insurance will cover.

But you shouldn’t be so focused on finances that low cost bariatric surgery becomes your number-one goal.  When that happens, you tend to forget about the need for quality care.

So here’s my advice:

When planning your surgery and performing your due diligence with regard to a surgeon or surgery center, put the surgeon’s experience first and the cost last. It’s better to receive quality care from an experience surgeon that costs a little more, than low cost bariatric surgery from a surgeon with questionable credentials.

I hate to use the expression “you get what you pay for,” because it’s such a cliche. But it does apply to healthcare in many cases. So put experience at the top of your surgeon checklist, and put cost somewhere down near the bottom. After all, if there’s one thing worth investing in … it’s your own body!

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What are bariatric vitamins and do you need to take them after bariatric surgery?

To answer the first question, bariatric vitamins are those vitamins that many doctors and nutritionists recommend for post-surgery patients who have undergone a weight loss surgical procedure.

To answer the second question, depending on the type of surgery you have had, you may need to supplement your diet with certain vitamins that your body cannot absorb as readily (as it did before surgery). Certain types of bariatric surgery can lead to malabsorption problems, which partly means that you may not be getting the vitamins and minerals you need from your diet.

Learn more: We have recently posted a new article that discusses bariatric vitamins in more detail.

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What should I do in the days before weight loss surgery to prepare for surgery?

This is a common question among those who have chosen to have bariatric surgery as their path to weight loss: What do I need to do before the surgery? What does preparing for weight loss surgery involve? Are there any dietary restrictions I should be aware of? Et cetera.

At this juncture, the important thing to remember is that preparing for weight loss surgery is a mental act as well as a physical one. After all, you are making life-changing alterations to your body’s chemistry, so you need to have the right mindset about what’s to come. Preparing for weight loss surgery is equal parts physical and emotional.

The physical side of preparing for surgery should be fairly straightforward, because your weight loss surgeon should provide you with a pre-surgery checklist to follow. On the contrary, the mental / emotional side of preparing for weight loss surgery is something a surgeon may not be able to help you with. Surgeons perform surgery — not emotional assessments.

Here are some tips to help you emotionally prepare for weight loss surgery:

• Make an effort to learn everything you possibly can about weight loss surgery in general, and your chosen procedure in particular. By becoming a “quasi-expert” on the subject of weight loss surgery, you will have an easier time preparing for it, and your mind will be more at ease.
• If possible, establish a relationship (or at least a dialogue) with someone who has undergone weight loss surgery in the past. Such a person could offer emotional support as well as advice on preparing for a weight loss surgery procedure.
• Journals are popular among weight loss surgery patients. Many people use them to chronicle their journey, record their reasons for having the surgery, etc. Consider starting one of your own.

I hope this brief guide helps you in preparing for weight loss surgery and all that it entails.

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So, let’s assume you have answered the first few questions about weight loss surgery that we have compiled for people considering surgery for weight loss.

You’ve made an honest (but unsuccessful) effort to lose weight naturally, you have researched the various types of surgery available, and you’ve chosen the type of weight loss surgery that’s best for you.

Now you are ready to ask the next logical question: “Who is going to perform my surgery? How do I find a qualified weight loss surgeon in my area?”

When screening potential surgeons to perform your bariatric weight-loss procedure, find out how much experience each weight loss surgeon has — specifically, their experience performing the type of procedure you have chosen. For instance, if you are planning to have a gastric bypass procedure, you want a surgeon who is knowledgeable with bariatrics in general, but also one who is highly skilled and experienced with gastric bypass procedures in particular.

Also keep in mind that selecting the best weight loss surgeon for your procedure may mean you’ll pay more for the surgery. But this is your health we are talking about here, so “bargain shopping” is not the best strategy.

Learn more about choosing a bariatric surgeon.

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