No-Incision Weight Loss Surgery
There is a brand new WEIGHT LOSS procedure that is making its way to the United States. In the past 3 years close to 100 people in Mexico and Europe have had this new experimental surgery to shed pounds done. It is called TOGA (transoral gastroplasty). Unlike the gastric bypass operation where the stomach is cut and the intestines re-arranged, this surgery is performed by existing openings in the body such as the mouth, nose or even vagina. Surgeons use a camera to help them insert a stapler to shrink the stomach so it will only hold a small quantity of food.
This procedure is part of a trend to make surgery less invasive and painful. It also will minimize risks and recovery time. Again, there are no cuts through the abdominal wall which usually are quite painful. And unlike other surgeries there are fewer complications such as hernias and leaks in the digestive track. The idea behind TOGA is to offer the patient an alternative to these problems.
Although TOGA brings about a slower weight loss than gastric bypass, so far, those who have passed the one year mark have lost 40 percent of their excess weight. But only time will tell if those having this surgery will create long term success.
Research shows us that bariatric operations typically work better for women who have 100 pounds to lose or more. Diet and exercise alone dont always work for those who have risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. More often than not this surgery will improve those risks right after the surgery.
I firmly believe that weight loss surgery is an option for some women. But it is a tool, not a cure-all. You still have to make post surgery life style changes in nutrition, portion control and exercise to bring about lasting results.
So far, there is a lot of promise with this procedure, but it is not yet OKd by the F.D.A. Only time will tell on this one. For more information:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/21/health/21weig.html