Struggling with Obesity? 3 Weight Loss Surgeries to Consider

Are you too heavy to run after the kids and give them a big hug when you’re playing with them? Perhaps you’re tired of being the object of sideways glances in public. 

Our culture is obsessed with thin, well-proportioned bodies. If you look different, your self-esteem has probably suffered, and you may feel anxious or depressed.  

At Turnquest Surgical Solutions, we know that diets don’t work for everyone. Our board-certified bariatric surgeons, Dexter Turnquest, MD, FACS, and Victoria Chang, MD, perform several different weight loss surgeries in addition to revisions. 

One of the procedures is likely right for you. Each has its own advantages. 

Lap band

The name of this procedure describes it perfectly. We place a silicone band around the upper portion of your stomach, so the size of your stomach is reduced by about two-thirds. 

Lap band surgery is the least invasive procedure for weight loss surgery, yielding the fastest recovery time. We can perform this surgery in 30-60 minutes on an outpatient basis, and most of our patients go back to work in a week. 

The tradeoff? You lose weight, but you may not lose as much weight as with other surgical procedures. 

Depending on various health factors, you’re generally eligible for weight loss surgery if your body mass index (BMI) is 35 or more, or 30 or more if you have complications from obesity such as diabetes or coronary heart disease. A healthy BMI is between 18.5 and 25. 

One large study found that lap band patients lower their BMI by about 8 points, the average maximum. Having lap band surgery gets you in the approximate range for a healthy weight. 

Until the six-week point after surgery, you won’t be able to eat normally. If you feel that you’ll be able to control your cravings in the future, this may be a good option for you. 

Laparoscopic gastric bypass

The gastric bypass, which we do via laparoscopy, creates a pouch that serves as your stomach. The pouch is about the size of a lemon. It connects directly to the small intestine, bypassing the rest of your stomach. 

We also bypass part of the small intestine, where food is normally absorbed, so your body absorbs less of what you eat, resulting in weight loss.

You lose weight rapidly. On average, patients lose 60-80% of excess fat in 12-18 months. Studies show that those who have this procedure can lower their BMI by about 14.8 points, the average maximum amount of loss. Recovery takes between two and four weeks. 

Gastric sleeve 

The gastric sleeve, a newer surgery, has become the most popular weight loss procedure today. With this surgery, we remove about 80% of your stomach. A long, thin pouch, or “sleeve” remains. 

You feel full very quickly with a greatly reduced capacity to ingest food. This helps you control how much food you eat at one time. Weight loss results from the gastric sleeve procedure are similar to those of the bypass. 

The good news is that after bariatric surgery, many patients experience fewer food cravings, except for a desire for high-fat foods.  

Call us at one of our two Houston, Texas, offices or request an appointment through our online portal for a consultation on your weight loss surgery options. You’re in safe and experienced hands.