Your stomach is significantly smaller so you feel full and stop eating sooner. This means you take in fewer calories.

Researchers haven’t studied any of them over a long period of time and don’t know the long-term risks and benefits.

The second procedure divides the small intestine into two tracts, which enables food to bypass most of the intestine, leading to a reduction in the amount of calories absorbed.

You can deduct medical expenses if your out-of-pocket costs are more than 10% of your adjusted gross income. See our Tax Tool to find out if your bariatric procedure will be tax deductible.

The fact is that shedding some extra pounds before surgery can have a significant impact. Not only will it reduce the risk of gastric bypass complications, but the lower your body mass index (BMI) prior to surgery the more weight you are likely to lose and the less likely you will be to experience weight gain after gastric bypass surgery.

The bypass changes hormones, bacteria, and other substances in the gastrointestinal tract that may affect appetite and metabolism. Gastric bypass is difficult to reverse, although a surgeon may do it if medically necessary.

Another way to do this surgery is to use a tiny camera, called a laparoscope. This camera is placed in your belly. The surgery is called laparoscopy. The scope allows the surgeon to see inside your belly.

Replace highly processed foods with nutrient-rich whole foods. Eating too little can make you feel hungry and fatigued, fast weight loss with surgery diminishing your energy and focus. In response, you might consume more food and regain lost weight.

Though this surgical procedure often leads to a greater amount of weight loss than other types of bariatric surgery, it’s not performed often, as it can increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies and complications related to surgery, notes the NIDDK.

You'll likely always have to remain careful about your weight. But mixing a healthier diet with more activity is the best way to lose weight, keep it off for the long term and improve your health.

A newer balloon device places a bulb in the stomach that is connected to a smaller bulb placed at the far end of the stomach, where the stomach connects to the small intestine.

After your procedure, your dietician will give you advice as to what you can eat. Your diet will initially consist of liquids or pureed food and finally small portions of nutritious healthy food.

What are the results? How much weight can you expect to lose? Does the program claim that you'll lose a lot of weight quickly or that you can target certain areas of your body? Does it show before and after photos that seem too good to be true? Can it help you keep up your weight loss over time?

Weighing less should also make it much easier for you to move around and do your everyday activities.