BARIATRIC SURGERY
Bariatric/obesity/weight loss surgery is a treatment option for patients suffering from morbid obesity. It is considered to be one of the most effective methods for weight loss and long-term weight maintenance. Apart from weight loss, bariatric or weight loss surgery, significantly improves conditions often related to being overweight, including Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, heart diseases, joint pains, sleeping disorders, infertility, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Bariatric surgery is performed using the Laparoscopic technique (Keyhole surgery – minimally invasive), and most of the patients are walking around on the same day of the surgery. Bariatric surgical procedures cause weight loss by restricting the amount of food intake, causing less absorption of calories, or by a combination of both gastric restriction and malabsorption.
The patients are generally given the following surgery options-
- Gastric bypass
- Sleeve gastrectomy
- Mini gastric bypass
- Gastric bands
The choice of the surgical procedure of this weight loss treatment depends on the treating bariatric Surgeon and the team after evaluation and counseling.
Usually, weight-loss surgeries such as bariatric surgery are done only after a person has tried to lose weight by improving their diet as well as exercising.
Some of the risks related to the weight loss treatment include infection, bleeding, anastomotic leaks, blood clots in legs and anesthesia issues. In the long run, some deficiencies may be observed in patients who are non-compliant the most common of which is Vitamin B12 deficiency however it can be managed effectively.
Bariatric surgery and other weight loss treatments can provide long-term weight loss. The amount of weight a person loses depends on the type of surgery and also the change in their lifestyle habits. It is possible for a person to lose half, or even more, of their excess weight within a period of two years depending on the initial weight. Approximately, 70% of the excess body weight is lost.
