2009 Trends and Predictions from the Editors of Consumer Guide to Bariatric Surgery

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The editors of Consumer Guide to Bariatric Surgery have gazed into their crystal balls to see if the number of bariatric surgeries performed in the United States will continue to increase in 2009. As the obesity epidemic grows, bariatric surgery numbers will surely follow suit, especially as studies reveal even more benefits of these procedures and surgeons perfect their techniques.

Here’s what else we can expect to see in the bariatric surgery arena in 2009:

More surgeries despite economic downturn. The economy will not affect the numbers of people who choose to have bariatric surgery to achieve dramatic weight loss. On the contrary, we expect growing numbers of people will turn to these surgeries to improve their health and compete in the work force.

Special populations go under the knife. More teens, as well as women of childbearing age who will go on to become pregnant, will have bariatric surgery in 2009 as the benefits of these surgeries for these special populations become more evident.

Incision-less bariatric surgery? Surgeons will study and perfect less invasive bariatric surgeries like the transoral gastroplasty (TOGA) procedure. This surgery alters the stomach anatomy to create a feeling of fullness after a small meal, without any cuts on the stomach. In 2008, surgeons at the University of California San Diego Center for the Future of Surgery performed the nation’s first bariatric surgery through the vagina. Expect to hear more about such surgeries in 2009.

Diabetes cure-all? In 2008 there was much buzz about how bariatric surgeries such as gastric bypass can reverse obesity-related diseases like diabetes. Expect 2009 to bring even more information on how the surgeries and the weight loss they produce can “cure” diabetes and even reduce the risk of obesity-related cancers.

Finessing body contouring after bariatric surgery. Plastic surgeons will continue to improve the sequencing of body contouring surgeries that get rid of excess fat and flab following weight loss surgery.

The battle of the bands. Now that there are two major players in the gastric banding field – the Lap-Band and the Realize Band – expect to hear more about how they contrast and compare.

Surgery-free weight loss? The coming year should bring new information on the endoluminal sleeve, known as the EndoBarrier Gastrointestinal Liner, now in late-stage clinical trials. Lining the upper small intestine with this impermeable sleeve may offer the benefits of surgery without associated complications and risks.

More info on the benefits and risks of weight loss surgery. As more people have bariatric surgeries, we will have a better understanding of the long-term benefits and risks of the procedures. This will likely result in procedure growth in 2009.

Focus on mental health. In 2009, psychologists and other mental health professionals will develop a better understanding of the psychological issues that people face who have undergone bariatric surgery.

Gastric sleeve takes its place on the bariatric surgery menu. A relatively new kid on the block, gastric sleeve resection (or sleeve gastrectomy) removes about 60 percent of the stomach so it takes the shape of a tube or sleeve. This operation is performed laparoscopically, meaning that the surgeon makes small incisions as opposed to one large incision. He or she inserts a viewing tube with a small camera (laparoscope) and other tiny instruments into these small incisions to remove part of the stomach. The now tube-shaped stomach is sealed closed with staples. Gastric sleeve resection is often followed by a gastric bypass or duodenal switch after the patient has lost a significant amount of weight. We'll be seeing more about this in 2009.

For more information about these and other current issues in weight loss surgery, please visit Consumer Guide to Bariatric Surgery.

About Consumer Guide to Bariatric Surgery

Consumer Guide to Bariatric Surgery is a one-stop, independent resource with comprehensive information on life before, during and after bariatric surgery. This website provides detailed information about weight loss surgery (or bariatric surgery), including who makes the best candidate for each procedure, the recovery time after surgery and appropriate expectations. Popular topics include:

Bariatric surgery articles are reviewed by an editorial advisory board comprising some of the nation’s leading surgeons, assuring consumers of the highest-quality, most trustworthy information on the Web. To complement this robust content, a before-and-after photo gallery and a directory of bariatric surgeons are available.

Consumer Guide to Bariatric Surgery is published by Ceatus Media Group LLC, an online provider of health information and physician directories.

Consumer Guide to Bariatric Surgery is a trademark of Ceatus Media Group LLC.