Weight loss surgery is sometimes recommended when a person just can't seem to lose weight by diet and exercise. It is usually thought of as a last resort for morbidly obese people.

The reasons that a person may not be able to lose weight with diet and exercise are that they may lack willpower, they may a disease that prevents certain exercises or there may be genetic reasons.

There are many different names for the various procedures: adjustable gastric band, sleeve gastrectomy, biliopancreatic diversion, vertical banded gastroplasty and more. They all fall under the term of bariatric surgery.

Fad diets can make the situation even worse. For those who have tried these diets, weight loss pills and nutritional supplements without success, weight loss surgery may be their only option. But, care must be taken before deciding if this is the right solution for you.

There are different surgical procedures that can be done. Each of these has its own side affects and risks. Many improvements have been made in surgical techniques that make the operations safer for the patient.

One of the first weight loss surgeries was gastric bypass surgery. Part of the stomach is removed and the rest of it is reconnected to the digestive system. This was the most dangerous type of surgery. Also, the patient must take nutritional supplements for the rest of her life to prevent the diseases caused by nutritional deficiencies.

Then, there is stomach stapling. The stomach size is reduced by clamping off parts of the stomach with surgical staples. This procedure can now usually be done by laparoscopy, which uses a small hole instead of a large incision. The purpose of this surgery is to make the patient feel full sooner so that he eats less.

If a person who has had this surgery tries to eat too much, he will become sick. Here again, the patient will have to take nutritional supplements to make up for the nutrition he would normally get from food.

The newest form of weight reduction surgery, generally called lap band surgery, involves inserting a band around the stomach. This type of surgery is preferred because there is no cutting into the stomach itself which can cause internal bleeding. It can also be adjusted to accommodate the patient's improved eating patterns. This surgery can be done as an outpatient instead of spending days or a week in the hospital.

All of these surgeries are very expensive, and insurance companies generally don't cover the costs unless a person's obesity is life threatening. Even then, it takes quite some time before the surgery is approved.

People who do have these operations typically experience a rapid weight loss. The quickness of the weight loss can cause other problems. Besides the problems of insufficient nutrition, there can be hormonal changes. There can also be the problem of excess skin where fat used to be. Getting rid of this skin means having even more surgeries, and more expense for the patient. These types are not normally covered by insurance companies.

A person should think long and hard about having weight loss surgery before jumping into it. Research all of the pros and cons and talk to a qualified physician. If at all possible, try diet, exercise and lifestyle changes before surgery.