Bariatric surgery is normally only carried out of people that are obese. There are a number of different surgeries available with varying results and risks involved.
Bariatric surgery can contribute by Restriction – when used to physically limit the amount of food the stomach can hold, therefore limiting the amount of calories consumed. Malabsorption – when used to shorten or bypass certain parts of the small intestine, which reduces the amount of nutrients absorbed into the body.
The different types of weight-loss surgery are as follows:
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
A small pouch is created at the top of the stomach, which is the part that will hold any food eaten.
The amount of food eaten will be reduced as a feeling of fullness will be evident
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It is adjustable by a port connected to the band by a tube being placed under the skin and can be adjusted by a syringe
& needle injecting saline with reduces the band diameter. This procedure will restrict the amount of food that the stomach can hold but does not reduce the absorption of calories & nutrients.
Sleeve gastrectomy
Part of the stomach is separated and removed from the body. The remaining section of the stomach is formed into a tubular shape. This means that the stomach restricts the amount of food eaten due to the reduction in size. It produces less of an appetite as has fewer ghrelin-producing cells but does not affect the absorption of calories and nutrients in the intestines.
Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch
Part of the stomach is separated and removed from the body as the sleeve gastrectomy. The valve that released food into the small intestine is left along with the first part of the duodenum. The middle section of the intestine attaches the last part directly to the duodenum – which is the
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This procedure is no longer practised due to multiple complications and need for further revisional surgery.
Bariatric surgery on the whole has been proven to maintain successful weight-loss long term, but should only be considered in extreme circumstances. Where and individual is obese, when other weight-loss options have been explored and for the morbidly obese individuals. As with any surgery, it comes with risks due to anaesthetics and should not be opted for lightly.
Surgery has been said to help eliminate some of the medical problems accompanying obesity such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, respiratory problems, sleep apnea, heartburn and high cholesterol.
The surgery is only a tool and a commitment to life-long change in eating & exercise habits after surgery are needed to lead a healthy lifestyle. A healthy diet should be undertaken after surgery to get the full benefits, and exercise should be added to the daily routine to ensure good mental and physical health.
Support should be given to all individuals that undertake surgery as and when needed. This is a journey and surgery should be seen as the interim path on the lifestyle