You have likely tried other methods to lose weight before considering bariatric surgery if you are severely or moderately obese. Before you consider any invasive treatment, it is important to discuss and try non-invasive methods of weight loss, such as exercise, diet plans, or weight loss tablets. Weight loss surgery is an option for those who cannot lose weight in this manner. It can improve quality of life, and prevent many of the diseases that are associated with obesity.
Weight Loss Procedures
Gastric bypass and other weight loss surgeries, collectively known as bariatric surgery, involve making changes in your digestive system to help lose weight. If diet and exercise are not working or if you have serious health issues due to your weight, bariatric surgery can be done. Certain procedures restrict the amount of food you can eat. Others reduce the body's ability absorb nutrients. Some procedures do both.
Bariatric surgery may offer many benefits but there are serious side effects and risks associated with any weight-loss procedure. To ensure long-term success with bariatric surgery, you will need to make healthy lifestyle changes and exercise regularly.
Different types of procedures
- Duodel Switch (BP/DS).
- Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y)
- Sleeve Gastronomy
Benefits of Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery can help you lose weight and lower your risk of serious weight-related problems.
- Stroke and heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, (NAFLD), or nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis.
- Sleep apnea
- Type 2 diabetes
Bariatric surgery can be done after you have tried to lose weight through diet and exercise.
Who bariatric surgery can help?
If you are:
- Your body mass index (BMI), 40 or more (extreme obesity)
- YourBMIIf your age is between 35 and 39.9 (obesity), you may be eligible for weight-loss surgery if you have serious health problems such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure. You may be eligible for weight-loss surgery in certain cases.BMIYou are between 30 and 34 years old, and have serious weight-related problems.
If you are severely overweight, bariatric surgery may not be right for you. To be eligible for weight loss surgery, you may need to meet some medical requirements. To determine if you are eligible, there will likely be a thorough screening. It is important that you are willing to make lifestyle changes in order to live a healthier life.
It is possible that you will be required to take part in long-term monitoring plans, which include your diet, lifestyle, and medical conditions.
Bariatric surgery can be expensive. To find out if your insurance covers this type of surgery, check with your local Medicare or Medicaid office.
There are risks of bariatric surgery
Bariatric surgery, like any major procedure, can pose potential health risks in the short and long-term.
There are some risks associated with a surgical procedure.
- Excessive bleeding
- Infection
- Anesthesia-related adverse reactions
- Blood clots
- Breathing or lung problems
- Leakage in your digestive system
- Death (rare)
The type of weight-loss surgery can have different long-term risks and complications. These can include:
- Bowel obstruction
- Dumping syndrome is a condition that causes diarrhea, vomiting, lightheadedness and nausea.
- Gallstones
- Hernias
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- Malnutrition
- Ulcers
- Vomiting
- Acid reflux
- Revision or additional surgery is required.
- Death (rare)
How to prepare for bariatric surgery
Your preferred health care team will give you specific instructions on how you can prepare for the type of bariatric surgery you are eligible for. Before you have surgery, you may need to have a variety of lab tests and other exams. There may be restrictions on what you can eat and drink, as well as the medications that you are allowed to take. It may be necessary to get involved in a program of physical activity and stop using tobacco.
It is possible that you will need to plan ahead for your recovery from surgery. If you feel you will need help, you can arrange for it at home.
What to expect
General anesthesia is used to perform bariatric surgery in the hospital. This means that you will be unconscious during the procedure.
Your individual circumstances, the type and hospital of the weight-loss surgery, as well as the doctor's and hospital's practices will determine the details of your surgery. Some weight-loss procedures require large or open incisions to your abdomen.
Most types of bariatric surgery today can be performed laparoscopically. Laparoscopes are small tubular instruments that have a camera attached. The laparoscope can be inserted through small cuts in the abdomen. The surgeon can see inside your abdomen with the tiny camera at the tip of the laporoscope. Although laparoscopic surgery may speed up your recovery, it is not recommended for all patients.
The average surgery takes several hours. You will be monitored by medical staff for complications after surgery. You may be required to stay in the hospital for a few days depending on the procedure.
Different types of bariatric surgery
There are pros and cons to each type of bariatric operation. Talk to your doctor about these pros and cons. Here are some common types of bariatric surgeries:
- Roux-enY (rooen-wy), gastric bypass.This is the most popular method of gastric bypass. This procedure is not usually reversible. This surgery reduces the amount of food that you can eat in one sitting and decreases absorption.The surgeon will cut across your stomach to seal it from the rest. The pouch can hold about one ounce of food and is roughly the same size as a walnut. Your stomach can normally hold approximately 3 pints.
The surgeon then cuts the small intestinale and sews a portion of it onto the pouch. The food is then placed in the pouch. The majority of your stomach and first section of small intestine are bypassed and food instead goes directly into the middle of your small intestinale.
- Sleeve gastrectomy.Sleeve gastrectomy removes approximately 80% of the stomach, leaving behind a tube-shaped pouch. The smaller stomach is unable to hold as much food. You may also feel less hungry because your stomach produces less of the appetite-regulating hormone, ghrelin.This procedure has many advantages, including significant weight loss and no rerouting the intestines. The hospital stay for sleeve gastrectomy is shorter than other procedures.
- Duodenal switch.The first part of this two-part procedure involves performing a similar procedure to a sleeve gastricectomy. The second procedure involves connecting the end of the intestinal tract to the duodenum close to the stomach (duodenal switching and biliopancreatic divert), bypassing most of the intestine.This surgery reduces your calorie intake and limits the amount of food you can eat. It is highly effective but it comes with greater risks, such as malnutrition or vitamin deficiencies.
Your specific circumstances will determine which type of weight loss surgery is right for you. The surgeon will consider your body mass, eating habits, and any previous surgeries. They will also consider the risks associated with each procedure.