What should you know before you get bariatric surgery in Los Angeles?

Bariatric surgery

Weight loss surgery, just like any other surgical procedure, requires you to consult with your healthcare providers and educate yourself about it. There are different types of weight loss procedures, and each individual who gets weight loss surgery might experience different levels of weight loss.

While weight loss surgeons such as Dr.Feiz offer complete guidance and answer all your questions. However, people considering bariatric surgery in Los Angeles might want to do their research before going to a clinic.

From choosing the correct weight-loss procedure to proper recovery, a little research can go a long way. So if you are considering surgery as an option, then we suggest you read this article.

Types of weight loss surgery available in Los Angeles

Regarding the options, you have available in terms of weight loss procedures. There are three major weight loss surgery options you can choose from in Los Angeles. Here is the difference between these procedures:

Gastric bypass procedure: This weight loss surgery is the oldest form of bariatric surgery. It has been performed traditionally as an invasive procedure. A cut is made in the abdomen to access the stomach, and then the digestive tract is bypassed to reduce the size.

This small pouch is then attached directly to the small intestine to limit how much food the patient can eat and reduce the nutrient absorption rate.

Gastric band: This is a relatively new form of weight loss procedure that involves placing a silicone band around your stomach to reduce its size.

The band is adjustable, and your doctor can loosen or tighten it if needed to produce the desired results. The best part about this procedure is that individuals with a lower BMI between 30 and 35 can also engage in the gastric band procedure.

This procedure is a minimally invasive procedure, and it is completely reversible in most cases.

Sleeve gastrectomy: Also known as gastric sleeve surgery, this procedure is the most invasive of all three major weight loss procedures. During this procedure, a weight loss surgeon removes up to 80 percent of your stomach and reattaches the remaining portion to limit the amount of food you can eat.

Not all insurance policies cover weight loss surgery cost

Another essential thing to know about weight loss surgery is that while most reputed insurance companies cover weight loss surgery costs, not all insurance policies include bariatric surgery cost coverage.

Therefore, you will need to check if your insurance company covers weight loss surgery costs, and you will also have to make sure your insurance plan covers it.

Currently, Medicare covers weight loss surgery. This makes weight loss surgery accessible for most seniors with Medicare eligibility.

Not all weight loss procedures are reversible

Weight loss surgery, in most cases, is a permanent procedure. And the changes made during the procedure are not entirely reversible except in the case of the gastric band procedure.

On the other hand, gastric sleeve and gastric bypass surgery require more permanent changes to the digestive tract.

Making reversal difficult and often impossible. So if you are choosing between bypass, sleeve, or band weight loss surgeries based on the reversibility criteria, you should select the gastric band procedure.      

Bariatric surgery in Los Angeles and around the US is becoming more popular and common with each passing year. It is a safe procedure that can help obese individuals attain healthy body weight. And now that you know the essential things about this procedure, you can make an informed decision.

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