Bariatrics

Overview of the procedure

Bariatric surgery is a collective term for medical procedures that involve making changes to your digestive system to help with weight loss. Your doctor may prescribe this procedure only if other treatment options fail to provide the desired results. If you face issues with your weight, consult with a doctor who may refer you to a bariatric surgeon in Delhi.

What is bariatric surgery?

Bariatric surgery works on the principle of restricting your intake of food and decreasing the absorption of food in your digestive system.

When you chew your food, it is mixed with saliva and other secretions that contain enzymes. When the food reaches your stomach, it is mixed with digestive juices and broken down into smaller pieces so that the calories and nutrients can get absorbed. Then, the digestion process becomes faster as it moves to the small intestine.

Bariatric surgery is performed to interrupt or alter this usual digestive process. As a result, reducing the number of calories and nutrients absorbed by your body will help you lose weight. Furthermore, the surgery will also help reduce your risk of obesity-related health disorders.

Who qualifies for bariatric surgery?

Generally, your bariatric surgeon may recommend this procedure if:

• Your BMI is 40 or more.
• Your BMI is between 35 to 39.9, along with a high-risk medical condition such as severe sleep apnea, high blood pressure, or type II diabetes.
• Your BMI is between 30 to 34, but you have a severe weight-related medical condition.

Bariatric surgery is not for everyone who is obese. In order to qualify for this medical procedure, your doctor may perform an extensive screening test. In addition, before opting for the surgery, your doctor may ask you to consider making permanent changes to your diet and lifestyle after the surgery.

Why is bariatric surgery conducted?

Your doctor may recommend bariatric surgery to help you lose excess weight and avoid the risk of severe medical conditions such as:

• Type II diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
• Heart diseases
• Severe sleep apnea

In typical cases, bariatric surgery is recommended after losing weight by changing your lifestyle and diet habits.

Request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Chirag Enclave, Delhi

Call 1860 500 2244 to book an appointment

What are the different types of bariatric surgery?

The different types of bariatric surgery include:

• Roux-en-Y (roo-en-wy) gastric bypass
  It is the most common type of bariatric surgery. The procedure works by reducing the amount of food intake in one sitting and reducing the absorption of calories and nutrients.
• Sleeve gastrectomy
  In this procedure, the surgeon will remove about 80 percent of your stomach. A long, tube-like pouch that remains does not have the same capacity as your normal stomach would. It also produces a smaller amount of the hormone that makes you feel hungry - ghrelin - which reduces your desire to eat.
• Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch
  This procedure is performed in two parts. The first one involves performing a procedure similar to sleeve gastrectomy, and the second one involves connecting the duodenum near the stomach to the end part of the intestine.

What are the benefits of bariatric surgery?

Bariatric surgery can provide long-term weight-loss benefits. The amount of weight you lose usually depends on the type of surgery you opt for and your lifestyle and diet changes. Additionally, bariatric surgery also reduces your risk of developing these medical conditions:

• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Type II diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Osteoarthritis

Are there any risks associated with bariatric surgery?

As is with any surgical procedure, bariatric surgery has certain risks as well. These include:

• Leaks in the gastrointestinal system
• Infection
• Excessive bleeding
• Blood clots
• Adverse reactions to anesthesia

Long-term risks of bariatric surgery include:

• Gallstones
• Bowel obstruction
• Ulcers
• Low blood pressure
• Dumping syndrome, which may lead to diarrhea, vomiting, nausea