Dr Oz: Weight Loss Procedures
If you think you’re not a candidate for weight loss surgery, Dr Oz was about to change your mind. He strongly believes that weight loss procedures are the most under-utilized procedures in the United States and now, there are two procedures that are making waves in the world of bariatric surgery. One procedure was just approved by the FDA, while another one has been around for a while and is now the fastest-growing procedure in bariatrics. Dr Oz followed two women who decided to each undergo one of the procedures.
Dr Oz: Balloon For Weight Loss
Dr Oz took a closer look at two weight loss procedures that are rising in popularity. (sswain_1999 / Flickr)
Before introducing the two women, Dr Oz wanted to first explain what each procedure involves. First, the new one, is called “the balloon” which doesn’t involve anesthesia. The patient has a tool put down their throat and into their stomach. Then, a balloon is expanded and the endoscope is taken out. The balloon makes you feel fuller faster, causing you to eat less. After you’ve lost the weight, about six months later, the balloon is removed. This is great for those who don’t have hundreds of pounds to lose.
Dr Oz: Gastric Sleeve
Next, Dr Oz looked at the gastric sleeve. Ports are placed around the belly, which means there’s no big incision. The surgeon then goes through those ports with a scope. Using a stapler, part of the stomach is removed, taking with it a bunch of hunger hormones. The stomach was originally ten times bigger than what is left behind. The stomach is about the size of a banana, and your body is getting sent signals that you don’t have to eat as much. This procedure is permanent, wheras the balloon is not.
Dr Oz: Two Women Underwent Weight Loss Surgery
Dr Oz then introduced Sheena, a 33-year-old overweight woman and Kelly, a 50-year-old who has also struggled with her weight. They’ve both tried everyhing to lose the weight but never found success. Kelly was getting the gastric balloon procedure, while Sheena decided to undergo the gastric sleeve surgery.
Dr Oz: Success Of Balloon Weight Loss Surgery
Kelly woke up saying she thought the procedure was easy, while Sheena felt different within a week, although she hadn’t weighed herself. Kelly and Sheena, and their bariatric surgeons, joined Dr Oz. Kelly shared that she was nauseas and tired the first few days because of the medications, but she was back to work by the third day. Before, she would eat three solid meals, but now she tends to graze. So far, she’s lost 13 pounds in two weeks!
A good candidate for this procedure is someone who can commit to a lifestyle change for a year, and who has a BMI between 30 and 40. Also, it’s for someone looking to lose 20-30 pounds, and who doesn’t qualify for more invasive surgeries. Dr Michael Snyder shared side effects of the weight loss balloon, which included feeling full, nauea, cramping esophageal injury, or ulcers.
The procedure was just approved in August 2015, and it usually takes 2-3 years for insurance companies to catch up. So right now, it’s costing patients $7,000-9,000 out of pocket.
Dr Oz: Gastric Sleeve Procedure
Sheena underwent the gastric sleeve and said it’s certainly been a change. She’s a mom on the go and has to eat fast, but she’s had to slow down a lot. The gastric sleeve procedure is generally approved for those who need to lose 70-100 pounds, have possible health conditions associated with their weight, have tried other diets with no success, and have the surgey approved by their insurance company.
Dr Oz said, in his experience, weight loss surgeries have been incredibly affective, but it’s important to make proper changes to take care of themselves after the surgery. For example, Sheena’s doctor had her on purees and liquids for the first two weeks after surgery in order to help her stomach heal properly. One real food is started, small portions need to be eaten.
Possible risks of undergoing the gastric sleeve include bleeding leak in the stomach and infection. It’s been four weeks and Sheena has lost 29 pounds, so she’s certainly seeing results!
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