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Bariatric surgery is one of the medical treatment options for obesity and overweight. It is said that by doing bariatric surgery, the weight will no longer rise or yo-yo like other treatments.
However, what is the process of bariatric surgery and who can do it? Check out more information about bariatric surgery and its side effects here.
What is Bariatric Surgery ?
Bariatric surgery is a medical procedure that aims to help drastically reduce weight in people with morbid obesity. This bariatric procedure is recommended for those who:
- Have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more.
- Have a BMI of 35 or more with obesity-related comorbidities, such as type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, or hypertension.
- Have failed to lose weight with other methods such as diet, exercise, and behavioral therapy.
In addition, there are other conditions that patients must fulfill if they want to undergo bariatric surgery, such as:
- A thorough evaluation by a medical team, including a psychologist and nutritionist.
- Commitment to follow lifestyle changes after surgery.
- Quitting smoking and drinking alcohol.
- Having a stable health condition.
Benefits of Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery has proven to be effective in helping patients:
- Lose weight drastically and sustainably.
- Improve quality of life and overall health.
- Reduce the risk of obesity-related complications, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
Types of Bariatric Surgery
There are several types of bariatric surgery procedures. Usually, these types are customized according to the patient's condition. The following types of bariatric surgery are commonly performed:
1. Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
This most popular procedure divides the stomach into two parts, creating a small pouch that can only hold a small amount of food. The intestinal pathway is also altered, bypassing most of the stomach and small intestine, resulting in drastically reduced absorption of calories and fat.
2. Sleeve Gastrectomy
This surgery cuts out about 80% of the stomach, leaving behind a long tube-like pouch. This smaller stomach not only holds less food, but also produces less ghrelin, the hormone that triggers hunger.
3. Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS)
A combination of two surgeries, BPD/DS first performs a sleeve gastrectomy, followed by cutting and reconnecting the intestines to minimize nutrient absorption. The procedure is effective but carries high risks, including nutritional and vitamin deficiencies.
4. Single-Anastomosis Duodeno-Ileal Bypass with Sleeve Gastrectomy (SADI-S)
Similar to BPD/DS, SADI-S also combines sleeve gastrectomy with bowel modification. This procedure offers similar effectiveness to BPD/DS, but with a lower risk of complications.
Risks and Side Effects of Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery is generally safe to perform. However, just like any medical procedure, bariatric surgery carries the risk of side effects.
Here are some of the risks that may occur:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Hernia
- Small blockages in the gastrointestinal tract
- Leaks in the sutured intestine or stomach
In addition, nutrient absorption problems (malabsorption) are also one of the long-term risks of bariatric surgery.
Nevertheless, you don't need to worry. Usually, before deciding to perform any surgery, including bariatric, the doctor will first weigh the possible risks and benefits for the patient.
If the doctor deems that the benefits far outweigh the risks, bariatric surgery is safe to perform.
Moreover, bariatric surgery is one of the proven procedures in treating class 3 obesity.
Stages of Bariatric Surgery Procedure
Before performing surgery, the patient will usually undergo a complete examination such as:
- Blood test
- Chest X-ray
- ECG
- Heart ultrasound
- CT scan or MRI
Then, patients are asked to fast for at least 6-8 hours before bariatric surgery.
Bariatric surgery is generally performed under general anesthesia. The procedure may last for 1-4 hours, depending on the type of surgery performed.
Post Bariatric Surgery Care
Post-surgery, patients need to undergo close care and monitoring by the medical team. Not only that, in order to recover faster, patients are also recommended to do several things such as:
- Changing diet and eating habits.
- Take vitamin and mineral supplements.
- Exercise regularly.
Generally, patients are allowed to do physical activity and exercise about 2 weeks after bariatric surgery. However, this depends on the health condition of each patient.
Many people think that bariatric surgery is a shortcut for weight loss. In fact, this is not true.
If your condition does not allow you to lose weight with diet or exercise, bariatric surgery can be considered to prevent the condition from worsening.
If you have obesity problems and have done various ways to lose weight but to no avail, try consulting your doctor about the option of bariatric surgery. Your doctor will give you the most relevant advice to maintain your health and overcome obesity.
Thank you for reading this article. Have a nice day.
