Weight Loss Surgery Options

Marcus Reddy is Consultant Surgeon at Parkside Hospital in Wimbledon (www.bodycraftweightloss.co.uk). We asked him to tell us about how weight loss surgery works on individuals who wish to lose weight, the outcomes and after effects - as well as the success rates.

T&L: Briefly describe the weight loss operation please.

MR: The operation is performed through key-hole surgery and leads to a smaller stomach. This causes a feeling of fullness and loss of interest in food. This leads to reduced portion sizes and reduced snacking. The procedures take between 30 minutes and one and a half hours, depending on the type of surgery. Many patients choose a gastric band or sleeve procedure and for those with many medical problems related to their weight, sometimes a key-hole stomach bypass. The choice is based on the individual person’s characteristics.

T&L: Why choose surgery - a new diet would surely do the job?

MR: Once your weight increases above certain thresholds, it becomes almost impossible to maintain weight loss. Our patients have, in the past, successfully lost weight on diets but it always returns and sometimes higher than before. This yo-yo weight is a common phenomenon and each time their weight may increase a bit more.

T&L: Is there any danger in having the operation?

MR: All surgical procedures have risk but we know that when this is performed by surgeons who do these operations many times a week the risk of serious problems is less than one per cent.

T&L: What is the success rate?

MR: The success rate in achieving weight loss is never guaranteed but when the right procedure is chosen to match a person’s characteristics it can achieve weight loss in almost 100 per cent of cases.

T&L: What about the after effects?

MR: The outcomes result in an improved quality of life with a sense of release from the problems of weight gain. Patients improve their physical and psychological well being.