Bariatric surgery is a term used to define all weight-loss surgeries collectively. It involves the practice of making changes to your digestive system to help reduce weight. This surgical procedure is an option when diet and exercise don’t work. It is recommended by doctors only when a person is facing severe obesity-related health conditions. Consult your doctor to know if Bariatric surgery is suitable for you.
About Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgeries are very effective in treating obesity. These procedures aim to reduce the stomach and intestine mass through bypass surgeries. Some procedures might limit your food intake; some will reduce your body’s ability to absorb nutrients, while some might do both.
Who Qualifies for Bariatric Surgeries?
Although these procedures offer multiple benefits, they are associated with certain risks. Hence, not everyone who is overweight can qualify for bariatric surgeries. These procedures are usually for those who are:
- Extremely obese, with a BMI of 40 or higher
- Obese with BMI between 35 to 39.9 and face severe health problems like sleep apnea, high blood pressure, or type 2 diabetes due to obesity.
If you feel that you face health issues due to obesity and might qualify for bariatric surgery, search for “Bariatric surgery hospitals near me.” This will list down all the hospitals providing the surgery.
Request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Greater Noida. Call: 18605002244
What is the Need for Conducting Bariatric Surgery?
Obesity is related to several health conditions. Extremely obese individuals are at a higher risk of:
- High blood pressure
- High LDL cholesterol
- Low HDL cholesterol
- Type 2 diabetes
- Coronary heart disease
- Stroke
While exercising and controlling diet are helpful in most cases, there are chances that they may not work for some individuals. In these cases, Bariatric surgery becomes the last option to remove excess weight and lead a happy and energetic lifestyle.
Different Types of Bariatric Surgeries to Get Rid of Excessive Weight
There are several types of bariatric surgeries. Your doctor might recommend any of these based on different factors. Here are the most standard types of bariatric surgeries.
? Gastric Bypass
Gastric bypass surgery is the most common bariatric procedure. The gastric bypass specialist will cut the top of your stomach. He will also bypass a section of the small intestine and sew it directly to the pouch left after cutting the stomach. Hence, your food intake and body’s nutrition absorption capabilities will reduce, helping you to eventually lose weight.
? Endoscopic Bariatric Surgery
Endoscopic bariatric surgery is done with the help of an endoscopic camera. Your endoscopic bariatric surgeon will put the camera inside your stomach. Once the device is inside, the doctor will carry the procedure of removing weight using an intragastric balloon, gastroplasty, and outlet reduction.
? Sleeve Gastrectomy
The sleeve gastrectomy doctor will remove around 80% of the stomach in this procedure. However, unlike gastric bypass surgery, this does not require rerouting of the small intestine. The surgery will reduce your appetite and help you lose weight.
? Ileal Transposition
In this procedure, the ileal transposition surgeon will interpose the ileum (the last part of the small intestine) between the jejunum (the first part of the small intestine).
? Gastric Banding
During gastric band surgery, the doctor will place an inflatable band across the top part of the stomach to reduce its size. Thus, appetite is reduced.
? Laparoscopic Duodenal Switch
Laparoscopic duodenal switch surgery or duodenal switch surgery involves two parts. The first is to bypass a small amount of the stomach, and the second is to skip a large part of the intestine. This helps the patient fill his stomach faster.
? Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS)
SILS is a relatively newer technique in bariatric surgery where the entire procedure is performed using a single port. Although the procedure might consume a little more time, the recovery will be quick.
? Biliopancreatic Diversion
This is a two-part procedure where the first part resembles a sleeve gastrectomy (the stomach is bypassed). The second part connects the end portion of the small intestine with the stomach to skip a large amount of it.
What are the Benefits of Having Bariatric Surgery?
Bariatric surgeries provide long-term weight-loss benefits. Thus, it helps overcome several medical problems associated with obesity. Besides that, it also provides the following benefits:
- Improves the quality of life
- Improves joint pain
- Reduces Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Risks Associated with Bariatric Surgeries
Like any other major procedure, bariatric surgeries pose certain short and long-term risks that may include:
Short term
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Excessive bleeding
- Leaks in the gastrointestinal system
- Breathing issues
Long term
- Gallstones
- Bowel obstruction
- Hernias
- Dumping syndrome
- Vomiting
- Ulcers
- Malnutrition
It is essential to get treated by the best bariatric surgery doctors in order to avoid these risks.
Post-bariatric surgery, you won’t consume food for a couple of days in order to let your stomach and intestine heal. Later, you will have to go for follow-ups and maintain a healthy lifestyle to avoid weight gain.
Your bariatric surgeon’s team will give you instructions that you need to follow. They might prescribe taking or avoiding certain medications, going through lab tests, changing eating habits, and stopping tobacco use.
Small incisions are made with minimally invasive techniques to carry out the procedures. However, it might not be suitable for everyone. In such a scenario, the doctor might rely on traditional large incisions.