Laparoscopic surgery is performed with the aid of a camera placed inside the patient’s abdomen or pelvis. Laparoscopic surgery is less invasive than traditional open surgery and fewer or smaller scars are left as a result. Additionally, recovery time, surgery-related complications and pain are typically reduced with a laparoscopic approach.
There are a variety of medical procedures which can now be accomplished via laparoscopic surgery including diagnostics and weight loss surgeries. Thanks to the advancement of medical science, gastric bypass surgery, adjustable gastric band surgery, sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y bariatric procedure may all be performed laparoscopically. Not all patients are candidates for laparoscopic surgery. Factors such as extreme obesity, previous abdominal surgeries and existing serious health conditions may prevent patients from being eligible for laparoscopic surgery.
Weight loss surgeries are recommended for morbidly obese individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more. Patients with a body mass index of 35 or higher with a serious weight-related medical problem may also be considered for the surgery. Research has shown that bariatric surgeries (including laparoscopic surgeries) can significantly increase weight loss, recovery from diabetes, and reduced risk of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. The life expectancy of post-surgery patients is also significantly increased. Patients can expect to see considerable amounts of weight loss during the first year after the surgery is performed.
Cited references:
http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/gastric.htm#laparoscop
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/weight_loss_surgery
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/laparoscopic_surgery/hic_laparoscopic_weight_loss_surgery.aspx