If you are suffering from morbid obesity, being extremely overweight, it can increase the risk of developing potentially life-threatening health issues. If you have tried all other methods of weight loss and are stile obese, a bariatric surgery can help you.
Bariatric surgery is a weight-loss surgery, a major surgical procedure that involves changing the size and shape of the stomach or the digestive system. In this blog post, we will discuss the different types of bariatric surgery, the results of the surgery, and whether it is right for you.
Types of Bariatric Surgery
There are different types of bariatric surgeries, some permanent and irreversible, and some that can be reversed. Let’s see what they are.
Gastric Balloon:
During this non-surgical, reversible weight loss procedure, a deflated silicone balloon is inserted into the stomach through the mouth using an endoscope. It is then filled with saline solution. It reduces the volume of your stomach and limits your meal size leading to significant weight loss. The balloon is removed after 6 months.
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty:
This minimally invasive endoscopic procedure involves placing sutures inside the stomach to reduce it to a tube-like structure without actually removing stomach tissue. This smaller size restricts your food intake leading to weight loss.
Gastric Bypass Surgery:
This type of surgery involves dividing the stomach into two sections, a small upper section, and a larger lower section. The small upper section is then connected directly to the small intestine, bypassing the larger lower section. This reduces the amount of food you can eat and absorb, leading to weight loss.
Sleeve Gastrectomy:
This surgery involves removing a large portion of the stomach, leaving only a small sleeve-shaped section. You will be able to eat only small meals, leading to weight loss.
Adjustable Gastric Banding:
During this procedure, an inflatable band is placed around the upper part of the stomach, creating a smaller stomach pouch. The band can be adjusted by adding or removing fluid through a port under the skin. As the stomach becomes smaller, you will not be able to eat much and this will lead to weight loss.
Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch:
This procedure involves removing a large portion of the stomach, leaving only a small sleeve-shaped section. The small intestine is then divided, and the lower part is connected to the sleeve-shaped stomach, bypassing the upper part of the small intestine. This reduces the amount of food that can be absorbed by the body, leading to weight loss.
Results of Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery is an effective way to lose weight and improve overall health. You can expect to lose up to 30% to 50% of your excess weight within the first six months after surgery. This weight loss can lead to improvements in many weight-related health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and joint pain.
The success of bariatric surgery depends on your commitment to making lifestyle changes, including eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. This is vital to enjoy the full benefits of bariatric surgery.
Is Bariatric Surgery Right for You?
Bariatric surgery is not a magic solution, but it is life-changing and could impact your emotional health. Whether bariatric surgery is right for you depends on a number of factors. You should consult an experienced bariatric surgeon who can help you make the right choice based on your health and overall condition.
Here are some of the factors that influence whether bariatric surgery is for you.
Your Body Mass Index (BMI):
Your BMI is 40 or higher, or your BMI is 35 or higher and you have weight-related health conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea.
Your Health Conditions:
You have weight-related health conditions that can be improved with weight loss, and you do not have other health conditions that could make surgery risky, such as heart disease or lung disease.
Your Willingness to Make Lifestyle Changes:
Bariatric surgery can help improve the results of lifestyle changes like eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise, but you should be willing to adopt and maintain those changes.
Your Emotional Health:
You have a support system and are willing to work with a mental health professional to get over anxiety, depression or other psychological issues you may experience during the initial stages of adjusting to the new reality.
Your Understanding of the Risks and Benefits:
You understand the risks and benefits of the procedure and have realistic expectations about the results.
Bariatric surgery is not a one-time-fix-all solution. While it is a radical procedure that can produce immensely satisfying results, it is also a procedure that needs critical expertise to provide results and sustained effort to maintain it. In short it requires extreme skills from the surgeon and unwavering commitment from you.
At Zymus Hospital, we have the multispeciality capabilities and superspecialty surgical expertise to provide the best results. Consult the best bariatric surgeon in Bengaluru to check if you can get the benefit of this revolutionary procedure.
