Are you also someone who suffers from obesity? Sometimes, no matter how much you control your diet and exercise, losing weight can seem like a dream. In such cases, when other methods fail, we are going to talk about a special solution that doctors recommend today. That is weight loss surgery, or in medical terms, Bariatric Surgery.
What is this weight loss surgery (Bariatric Surgery)?
Simply put, this is a type of surgery that is performed to help people who are severely obese lose weight. Your doctor may recommend this type of surgery only if you have tried other weight loss methods and if your obesity poses more health risks than surgery.
These surgeries involve making changes to your digestive system . Most often, they involve the stomach and sometimes the small intestine. This does two main things:
1. Limit the amount of food you can eat at one time.
2. Reduces the amount of calories absorbed by the body.
In addition, this surgery can even control the hunger signals that tell your brain that you are hungry. But this is not a "magic" quick fix. For this surgery to be successful, it requires good preparation beforehand, and lifelong lifestyle changes after the surgery .
Why do you need to have this kind of surgery?
This surgery is the best way to achieve long-term, successful weight loss for someone with the highest level of obesity (class III obesity). Research has found that it is very difficult for someone at this level to lose weight and maintain it through diet and exercise alone.
Think of it this way. Once your body recognizes your excess weight as "normal," it tries to get back to that weight. Bariatric surgery changes the way your body processes what you eat. Then your healthy eating and lifestyle changes can really work, and you can lose weight and stay healthy.
What types of diseases caused by obesity can be relieved by this surgery?
Obesity is a risk factor for a number of chronic diseases that can be life-threatening. But the good news is that many of these conditions can be dramatically improved after weight loss surgery. If your doctor decides that you need this surgery, you may already have the following conditions, or you may be at increased risk of developing them.
| Medical condition | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | An increase in fats (lipids) in the blood. These can build up in the blood vessels and block them. This can cause a stroke or heart attack. |
| High blood pressure (Hypertension) | The speed at which blood flows through the blood vessels is very high. This damages the walls of the blood vessels and increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. |
| High blood sugar levels and type 2 diabetes | Excess body fat leads to insulin resistance. This is an early step towards diabetes. If left untreated, it can damage nerves, blood vessels, and organs. |
| Heart Disease | Obesity can weaken the heart's function and cause fatty deposits in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart attack. |
| Kidney Disease | Obesity-related diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes are major causes of chronic kidney disease. |
| Obstructive Sleep Apnea | During sleep, the upper airway becomes blocked and breathing repeatedly stops. This reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the body's vital organs. |
| Osteoarthritis | Excess weight puts extra pressure on joints like the knees, which increases the risk of developing degenerative joint diseases. |
| Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) | The body begins to store excess fat in the liver, which can cause long-term damage to the liver. |
Who is eligible for this surgery?
This surgery is not for everyone. You have to meet certain qualifications for it. The main thing that is looked at is your Body Mass Index (BMI). Simply put, this is an index that measures your weight for your height.
- If your BMI is 40 or higher , this means you are about 100 pounds (about 45 kilograms) heavier than your ideal weight.
- If your BMI is 35 or higher and you have a health problem related to obesity (e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure).
The most important thing is that this decision is made by your doctor. He or she will examine you and perform the necessary tests to determine whether this surgery is right for you or not.
What are the most common types of surgeries?
There are several types of bariatric surgery. Most of these are performed laparoscopically. This means that a camera and instruments are inserted through several small incisions, rather than making a large incision, resulting in faster healing, less pain, and less scarring. These are some of the most common types of surgery.
| Name of the surgery | What happens in short |
|---|---|
| Gastric Sleeve | This is the most common surgery. In this procedure, about 80% of the stomach is removed, leaving a small, banana-shaped tube. This allows the stomach to feel full after eating a small amount of food and reduces hunger hormones. |
| Gastric Bypass | In this procedure, a small pouch is created from the upper part of the stomach and connected to the lower part of the small intestine. Food bypasses the large part of the stomach and the first part of the intestine. This reduces the amount of food eaten and the amount of nutrients absorbed. |
| Duodenal Switch (BPD-DS) | This is a somewhat complex surgery. It involves both gastric sleeve surgery and intestinal bypass. It is very effective in weight loss and controlling diseases like diabetes. However, it can cause vitamin deficiencies because the body absorbs less nutrients. |
What happens after the surgery? Are there any risks?
As with any surgery, there are risks and side effects, but these are often less than the risks associated with obesity.
Risks associated with surgery
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Bowel obstruction
- Anastomotic leaks
Possible side effects after surgery
- Dumping Syndrome: Symptoms such as nausea, stomach cramps, and diarrhea occur as food passes through the intestines too quickly. These symptoms usually subside over time.
- Malnutrition: Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can occur due to reduced nutrient absorption. Therefore, it is important to take the nutritional supplements prescribed by your doctor exactly as prescribed.
- Gallstones: Rapid weight loss increases the risk of developing gallstones.
Your medical team will help you manage all of this. So there's nothing to worry about. It's important to go for follow-up appointments after surgery.
So what are the benefits of this surgery?
Despite the risks, the benefits of this surgery are very high.
- Significant, permanent weight loss: This is the only method that provides long-term, successful results. About 90% of people lose 50% of their excess weight and maintain it.
- Diabetes and cholesterol control: Many people are able to completely recover from diabetes and even stop taking medication.
- Good health and a long life: Research has shown that not only does it reduce the risk of diseases caused by obesity, but it also reduces the risk of death from any cause by about 40%.
- Better quality of life: When you lose weight, you feel happier, more confident, and more active.
Take-Home Message
- Bariatric surgery is a serious medical procedure for severe obesity. It is not a cosmetic procedure or a "easy fix."
- The success of this surgery depends on your commitment to lifelong dietary and lifestyle changes.
- While this surgery has great health benefits, it also carries some risks and side effects.
- You should decide whether this is right for you after an in-depth discussion with your doctor.
- If you are also suffering from obesity, be sure to see your doctor to learn more about this and discuss your options.
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