Weight People Surgical Loss Options Overweight Gastric Stomach

As people in the United States become "increasingly" (more and more) overweight, "drastic measures" (actions that have a major effect; extreme actions) are becoming popular and "widespread" (found or available in many places, for many people).

Overweight and "obese" (very overweight) people are "advised" (receive recommendations) to lower their weight through diet and exercise. People who are "morbidly obese" (so overweight that they will probably die from it) receive the same advice but, if diet and exercise do not work, they may be eligible for surgical weight loss options or "weight reduction surgeries," or ways to reduce their weight through "surgery" (a medical procedure that involves cutting into the body).

"Gastric banding" places a "band" (a tight, circular piece) around the stomach, creating two "chambers" (open areas) that are connected, so that food passes through the stomach more slowly and the individual cannot eat very much. "Stomach stapling" closes off part of the stomach making it smaller so that the individual cannot eat very much. "Gastric bypass surgery" connects the stomach to a different part of the "gastric tract" (the tube-like parts of the body that absorb energy and nutrients from food) so that the body "takes in" (receives) fewer calories.

These and other surgical weight loss options can be "highly" (very) successful in reducing weight, but they can also be dangerous. Patients may develop "infections" (for something that causes disease to enter and attack the body), require multiple surgeries, or "vomit" (throw up) frequently, among other "complications" (problems associated with surgery). However, people who are morbidly obese may determine with their doctors that the risks of continuing to be overweight are greater than the risks of surgery.