What is Bariatric Surgery?
Bariatric surgery is a medical intervention designed to assist individuals struggling with severe obesity, offering a significant potential for weight loss and improvement in related health conditions. The procedure involves surgical modifications to the digestive system to promote weight reduction. It addresses both the physical and metabolic aspects of obesity, aiming to improve overall health and quality of life.
Causes for Bariatric Surgery
There are various reasons why you may need to undergo a Bariatric surgery. It helps you reduce your weight and thereby reducing your risk of acquiring potentially life-threatening health issues related to your high weight. Your doctor will perform this surgery on you to reduce the risk of :
- Very high blood pressure
- Sleep apnea
- Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
- Heart disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Purpose
Weight Loss and Health Improvement: Bariatric surgery helps achieve substantial weight loss and improve obesity-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea.
Types of Bariatric Surgery
- Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass): Creates a small stomach pouch and reroutes the small intestine to limit food intake and nutrient absorption.
- Sleeve Gastrectomy: Removes a large portion of the stomach to create a small, tube-like stomach that restricts food intake.
- Adjustable Gastric Banding (Lap-Band): Places an adjustable band around the upper part of the stomach to create a small pouch and restrict food intake.
- Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS): Removes a significant portion of the stomach and bypasses a large part of the small intestine to affect both food intake and nutrient absorption.
Pre-Surgery Preparation
Consultation
Medical Evaluation: Undergo a thorough assessment, including physical examination and imaging studies, to determine suitability for surgery and identify any underlying health conditions.
Preoperative Instructions
Lifestyle Adjustments: Implement recommended dietary changes and increase physical activity to prepare for surgery and enhance outcomes.
The Bariatric Surgery Procedure
Anesthesia
General Anesthesia: The surgery is performed under general anesthesia, ensuring the patient is fully unconscious during the procedure.
Procedure Steps
- Incision and Access: The surgeon makes incisions in the abdomen to access the digestive system. Techniques may vary based on the type of surgery, including minimally invasive approaches.
- Surgical Modification: The surgeon performs the specific modifications to the digestive system based on the chosen procedure, such as creating a small stomach pouch or placing a band.
- Closure of Incisions: Once the modifications are complete, the incisions are closed with stitches or adhesive strips.
Post-Surgery Care
Immediate Aftercare
Recovery Room: Patients are monitored in a recovery area until the effects of anesthesia wear off and they are stable.
Benefits of Bariatric Surgery
- Significant Weight Loss: Achieve substantial weight loss, which can significantly enhance quality of life.
- Health Improvements: Potentially resolves or improves obesity-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea.
- Enhanced Mobility: Increased mobility and improved overall physical and psychological well-being.
Potential Risks and Considerations
Possible Complications
- Infection: Risk of infection at the surgical site or within the abdominal cavity.
- Nutritional Deficiencies: Potential for nutrient deficiencies, especially with some types of surgery, requiring ongoing monitoring and supplementation.
- Surgical Complications: Risks such as bleeding, blood clots, or leaks from the surgical site.
Long-Term Considerations
- Lifestyle Changes: Successful long-term outcomes require adherence to a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and ongoing medical follow-up.
- Psychological Support: Psychological support may be beneficial for adjusting to changes in body image and lifestyle post-surgery.
Evaluation for Bariatric Surgery
A team of health professionals including a dietician, a doctor, a surgeon and a psychologist whether the surgery will be appropriate for you or not. The evaluation will determine if you are ready for the surgery and if the benefits outweigh the risks associated with the surgery. It will as determine if you are psychologically prepared for the surgery. People suffering from imbalanced mental health conditions are at a higher risk and must not undergo this procedure.
While evaluating your health, health professionals will consider:
- Your health- Some health issues may increase the risk associated with the surgery. Sometimes, the problems may worsen with surgery, heart problems, blood clots, nutritional deficiencies, liver disease and kidney stones. The health professionals will evaluate the medications that you are taking and if you smoking or consuming alcohol. You may need to undergo a physical examination and laboratory testing that will determine if you qualify for the surgery.
- Your age- The doctors now state the surgery is safe for older adults aged 60 years or above and for the teenagers having a BMI of 35 or over 35 with serious weight-related health issues.
- Your psychological condition- There are some mental health conditions that may cause obesity or complicate the maintenance of benefits of the surgery for you. These conditions may be substance abuse, major depression, severe bipolar disorder, binge-eating disorder, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia and issues associated with sexual child abuse.
- Your nutrition- The health professionals will evaluate your eating habits, weight trends, stress level, motivation, diet attempts, exercise regimen, time constraints and other factors.
- Your motivation- The doctors will see your ability to follow the instructions and whether you make the desired changes in your eating habits and exercise routine.