Once the decision has been made to use weight loss surgery as a tool to aid in a patients successful weight loss journey, the patient and their doctor need to discuss the options available and what will best meet the needs of the individual patient.

Here are some of the types of weight loss surgery that are commonly performed:

• Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure has been used successfully for a number of years. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass has a long and distinguished track record in the United States among many bariatric surgical interventions that have come and gone over the decades. They have been many sources of long-term studies conducted to prove the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery improves health, creates the condition for dramatic long-term durable weight loss, and results in improved life expectancy. In this procedure the stomach pouch is made much smaller and connected to the small intestine. The result causes the patient to feel full and have their hunger satiated more easily. Patients that have a BMI (Body Mass Index) above 35 and have obesity related health problems or a BMI above 40 regardless of other health issues are candidates for this type of procedure.

• The Lap-Band has proven to be a successful weight loss technique. In many studies over the course of the last ten to fifteen year this method has demonstrated excellent results in the long-term treatment of obesity. This procedure involves the placement of an adjustable band around the upper portion of the stomach. This procedure is also a consideration for patients with a BMI of 35 or greater, but occasionally is an option for patients with lowers BMI scores, but still suffering from weight related health problems.

• The Realize Band is another adjustable gastric banding technique that is a consideration for weight loss surgery candidates. The tightness of the band is adjusted to help ensure weight loss while avoiding side effects.

• Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy is a procedure that removesa large portion of the existing stomach. The new stomach functions the same as the original stomach as far as absorption of nutrients, but is much smaller so the patient feels full more easily. This is a newer technique and candidates are evaluated on an individual basis by their surgeon.

• StomaphyX is a relatively newer technique that is usually used in revision weight loss surgeries. These are weight loss surgeries a patient undergoes if a previous weight loss surgery is proving to be unsuccessful or in need of an adjustment to reinvigorate weight loss. This technique requires no incisions and is done through the mouth with the visual assistance of an endoscopic video. The result is a smaller stomach. Patients who have previously tried weight loss surgery and failed to achieve significant weight loss or experienced rebound weight gain are possible candidates for this type of procedure.