What Is Bariatric Surgery?
Bariatric surgery refers to a group of surgical procedures designed to help individuals who are significantly overweight or obese lose weight. These surgeries work by altering the digestive system, typically by reducing the size of the stomach or changing the way the body absorbs nutrients.
Who Is A Candidate For Bariatric Surgery?
Bariatric surgery is typically considered for people who:
- Have a BMI of 40 or higher (or 35+ with weight-related co-morbid conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or sleep apnea)
- Have struggled to lose weight through diet, exercise, or medication
- Are willing to commit to long-term lifestyle changes, including dietary adjustments, physical activity, and follow-up care.
BMI Calculator
|
Types Of Bariatric Surgery:
- Gastric Sleeve (Sleeve Gastrectomy): In this procedure, about 80% of the stomach is removed, leaving a small, sleeve-shaped stomach. This limits how much food you can eat and decreases hunger hormones, helping with weight loss.
- Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y): This is one of the most common types of bariatric surgery. It involves creating a small stomach pouch and rerouting part of the small intestine, reducing the amount of food you can eat and decreasing nutrient absorption. This results in both weight loss and changes in the body's metabolism and hormone levels.
- Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS): This more complex surgery combines aspects of the gastric sleeve and gastric bypass, involving the removal of a portion of the stomach and rerouting the intestines to reduce nutrient absorption. It results in significant weight loss but requires more long-term monitoring.
- Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG): This procedure involves reducing the size of the stomach using an endoscope. The surgeon uses sutures to create a sleeve-like shape in the stomach, which limits its capacity and helps promote a feeling of fullness after eating smaller amounts of food.
- Single Anastomosis Duodenal (SADI): In this procedure, the surgeon creates a smaller stomach pouch and then reroutes the small intestine to connect to this pouch, bypassing a significant portion of the duodenum and the initial segment of the small intestine. The "single anastomosis" refers to the one connection made between the stomach pouch and the small intestine, which simplifies the procedure compared to the traditional duodenal switch that has two connections.
- Revisional Bariatric Surgery: Refers to surgical procedures performed to correct or modify a previous weight-loss surgery that has not achieved the desired outcomes or has led to complications.
Which Bariatric Surgery Procedure is Right for Me?
At Advanced Surgeons, we specialize in performing the safest and most effective forms of weight loss surgery. With so many options available, how do you know which is the right one for you? Before diving into the procedures themselves, it’s important to educate yourself on some crucial concepts regarding weight-loss surgery. Look at these important terms you will likely come across often in your research.
Open vs. Laparoscopic
Most bariatric surgery procedures are done laparoscopically. This means that surgeons use small incisions, small tools and a camera known as a laparoscope. The tools and camera are inserted into the abdominal cavity, and the camera is attached to a video monitor so the surgeon can see the surgical site. The alternative is an open procedure. Surgeons will make a large incision down the abdomen and expose the area that will be operated on.
Laparoscopic surgery—sometimes known as minimally invasive bariatric surgery—has several advantages over open surgery, including:
- Less chance of infection
- Lower rate of complications
- Shorter recovery time
Malabsorptive vs. Restrictive
There are several different bariatric surgery procedures, but the two general ways in which they work are restriction and malabsorption. Restriction limits the amount of food you can eat. The surgically created smaller stomach pouch that is created in both the gastric bypass and the gastric sleeve, restricts the amount of food that can be eaten at one time and ensures that the patient feels satisfied with less food. Whilst malabsorption limits the number of calories and nutrients your body can absorb. During malabsorptive procedures, the surgeon reroutes the small intestine so that fewer calories and nutrients are absorbed. All bariatric surgeries decrease the size of the functional stomach, causing an individual to feel full faster. This lowers the amount of food that one consumes and can significantly lower the number of calories consumed.
Benefits of Bariatric Surgery:
- Significant Weight Loss: Patients often lose 50-70% of their excess weight within a year of surgery.
- Improved Health: Bariatric surgery can reduce or eliminate obesity-related conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea.
- Enhanced Quality of Life: Many patients experience improved mobility, self-esteem, and overall well-being after the procedure.
Risks and Considerations:
As with any surgery, bariatric procedures come with potential risks, including infection, blood clots, and nutrient deficiencies due to reduced food intake or malabsorption. However, the benefits often outweigh the risks for those who are significantly overweight and suffering from obesity-related health conditions.
Life After Bariatric Surgery:
After surgery, patients must adopt a new lifestyle that includes:
- Eating smaller, healthier meals.
- Taking vitamins and supplements to avoid nutrient deficiencies.
- Regular physical activity to maintain weight loss.
- Routine medical follow-ups to monitor progress.
Bariatric surgery can be a life-changing option for those struggling with obesity, offering a pathway to better health and a more active lifestyle. We recommend scheduling a consultation with one of our experienced surgeons to discuss whether bariatric surgery is the right solution for you.
Schedule a Consultation
If you’re ready to take control of your weight and improve your health, we’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our team and begin your weight loss journey. Together, we’ll create a plan that’s right for you.
