Is Laparoscopic Weight Loss Right for You?

When you hear the term laparoscopic weight loss, it is more than likely referring to having gastric bypass surgery performed laparoscopically.

To begin with, let’s define these two terms.

Gastric bypass surgery is when the size of your stomach is surgically reduced and part of your small intestine is bypassed.

In the past this surgery has been referred to as stomach stapling.

Most people who have this surgery will begin to lose weight immediately, and will continue to lose weight for about 12 months.

The changes in behavior required by this type of surgery, though, will need to last the rest of your life.

Laparoscopic surgery is performed through small incisions, rather than making one large incision.

Because the incisions are smaller, the recovery time is faster and the pain of surgery is reduced.

You also have minimal scarring – several scars about an inch in length – rather than one long scar.

During laparoscopic surgery the surgeon uses the small holes to insert his surgical instruments.

One hole is typically used to insert a camera so the surgeon can see what he is doing with his surgical tools.

Laparoscopic surgery, or gastric bypass surgery performed laparoscopically, reduces your hospital stay from four to six days to two to three days, or by about half.

Those who are candidates for laparoscopic weight loss typically include:

  • Those whose body mass index is 40 or higher

  • Those who have a life-threatening illness related to their weight.

They are people who are obese and have tried again and again to overcome their obesity, yet have not been successful.

Laparoscopic weight loss is not an easy decision to make, as it involves a number of lifestyle changes and is risky surgery.

Those who have had laparoscopic weight loss performed must be very careful of what they eat.

Their stomachs have been reduced in size, so they can only eat very small portions at a time or they will feel sick.

They must also consider nutrient content, because their bodies ability to absorb nutrients has been reduced since part of the small intestine is bypassed.

Laparoscopic weight loss surgery is a decision to be well thought out and made carefully between you and your doctor.

Many people have found a tremendous amount of success through laparoscopic weight loss, while others have experienced complications.

Make sure you talk to people who have had good and bad results before you make your decision.

Whatever you chose to call it:

  • Laparoscopic weight loss surgery

  • Gastric bypass surgery or

  • Stomach stapling

It may be the answer for you if you have struggled with severe obesity for years with no success at losing weight.

Be sure to talk to your doctor is you think this is an option for you.

In the mean time, here is a few tips to get you started losing weight.

What You Can Do To Lose Weight Starting Right Now:

  • Incorporate a proven, complete nutritional program into your daily life.

  • Enhance your nutritional program with a complete mutivitamin supplement because no nutritional program is perfect.

  • Use a behavior modification and motivational program that will help you stay on track with your nutritional plan.

  • Exercise at home with your own:

    Treadmill

    Stairstepper

    Exercise bike

    Elliptical trainer

    Hand weights or

    An aerobic video.

  • See what kinds of weight loss aids your health insurance covers such as:

    Hypnotism

    Gym membership discounts

    Nutritional counseling.

Before you have laparoscopic weight loss, try following the tips recommended above.

These tips are: