Is there an alternative? :
Is there a gastric bypass alternative? I have spent countless hours researching this, and I have found a few promising alternatives. The most attractive alternative that is currently being pushed is something called "lap band surgery." A small device is placed around your stomach that makes you eat less, and unlike gastric bypass surgery, it doesn't drastically change your anatomy. Patients who have gotten this procedure have been said to achieve extremely favorable results, although I have never *personally* met one of them. How the band works is a doctor will place a band around your stomach and that band is hooked onto a small device called a port. Then the doctor will inject saline into the band, and that will squeeze in your stomach. With that band in place, when you then eat it will fill up a small portion of your upper stomach, and you should in theory eat much less food while feeling much fuller with smaller portions. Anyone who is said to be 100lbs or more overweight is eligible for the procedure. This isn't a cheap, it will cost anywhere from $14,000 to $20,000. Be sure this is the route that you want to go before you go ahead and sign on the dotted line.
There are many other gastric bypass alternatives, but not many more that involve surgery. There is the tried and true "eat less and you'll lose the weight!" philosophy (a quote from a friend of mine...a good friend, but sometimes a bit of a jerk). And then there are also the fad diets, plans, pills, and everything else that we have all tried at one time or another. If you are on this site odds are you are over 100lbs overweight, and if that is the case many times the gastric bypass alternatives have already been used up, and it is time to pick something a bit more drastic. Remember though, it is important to not take this decision lightly, it has very real risks, but it also has very real rewards. Weigh your options closely, and decide what it the best fit for you.