Am Fam Physician. 2016;93(1):online
See related article on bariatric surgery
What is weight loss surgery?
Weight loss surgery (also called bariatric or metabolic surgery) makes the stomach smaller and changes the hormones that signal hunger. The three most common surgeries are gastric banding, sleeve gastrectomy, and Roux-en-Y (ROO-en-Y) gastric bypass. The goal of these surgeries is for you to feel full with less food, so you eat less and lose weight.
What is gastric banding?
A silicone band is placed around the upper part of the stomach so that less food can be eaten at once (Drawing 1). Your doctor can adjust the band after the surgery to control weight loss.
What is sleeve gastrectomy?
Part of the stomach is removed, creating a long tubelike structure that reduces the amount of food that can be eaten (Drawing 2). Hormones that signal hunger are decreased.
What is Roux-en-Y gastric bypass?
A small pouch is created so that food “skips” the rest of the stomach and some of the small intestine (Drawing 3). After this surgery, the stomach (pouch) is smaller, the body absorbs fewer calories from food, and hormones that signal hunger are decreased. These changes lead to weight loss.
Who can have weight loss surgery?
People with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher, or people with a BMI of 35 who have at least one weight-related medical problem are usually eligible for weight loss surgery if they have not been able to lose weight in other ways.
Will I be able to eat normal foods after the surgery?
There are strict food recommendations that need to be followed after weight loss surgery. You will never be able to eat the way you used to, but you also will not be as hungry as you used to be.
Will my insurance pay for weight loss surgery?
Many insurance plans cover weight loss surgery. Check with your insurance provider for details about your plan.
Where can I get more information?
Your doctor
American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
National Institutes of Health
Obesity Action Coalition
