What is Bariatric Surgery – Is It the Last Resort to Shed Pounds?

Bariatric Surgery is defined as a surgery that promotes weight loss by controlling the amount of food consumed by a person.

It is also known as weight loss surgery, where different procedures are performed on obese people.

Bariatric Surgery – An Overview

What is Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric surgery is a series of weight-loss surgeries that change the digestive system, helping patients lose weight.

The surgery can offer several benefits to overcoming obesity; however, serious risks or side effects also come along.

Meanwhile, bariatric surgery’s success depends on how much the person can control their diet and perform regular exercises.

It is recommended that people opt to change their eating habits or lifestyle to lose weight. The other option would be to try a medication to get rid of severe obesity.

Still not getting through? Bariatric surgery is considered a healthy option to shed extra pounds.

what is bariatric surgery – let go of your obesity and stay healthy

The Purpose of Bariatric Surgery

The primary purpose of Bariatric Surgery is to eliminate obesity. People with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of more than 30 are obese. Accordingly, people who are overweight, with a measured weight of 80 to 100 pounds for both men and women, are overweight.

The benefits of the surgery lie in the fact that it helps weight loss and reduces the risk of severe health issues such as,

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes (Type 2)
• Coronary heart disease
• Fatty liver disease

People who are obese or have a BMI index of more than 40 have trouble with these symptoms:

• Trouble in sleeping
• An issue with varicose veins
• Skin problems caused by the moisture in the folds of the skin
• The occurrence of gallstones
• Knee pain

bariatric surgery – reduce knee pain

In addition, much more is linked to being overweight. Bariatric surgery addresses all these issues, thus providing people with healthy lives.

Surgery is not meant for everyone; it includes evaluating a person for all medical conditions.

It is considered a last resort method for losing weight, especially for obese people.

As people cannot significantly reduce their weight through diet and exercise, they undergo Bariatric Surgery.

People with a BMI of 40 or more are severely obese and have obesity-related severe health issues. Most of them qualify for bariatric surgery.

Precautions to Be Taken Before Bariatric Surgery

As mentioned above, a person can plan for bariatric surgery, but it is not for everyone. When an obese person wants to get the surgery done, some necessary steps are to be taken.

The physician will check the patient’s medical conditions and allow them to proceed with the surgery.

The evaluation also states that a person is prepared for the surgery and commits to changing their eating habits and lifestyle to make the surgery successful.

Bariatric surgery is a significant surgery associated with some risk factors and side effects.

Young women should know how rapid weight loss from surgery can cause nutritional deficiency. Further, it can also have harmful effects on developing fetuses.

It is also recommended that the patient check with the organization before being admitted for surgery. Information about the surgeon’s experience can also be helpful.

Lastly, during this period, young children or teens have been prone to obesity because of their lifestyle and eating habits.

Though there is no such written guideline that the surgery should not be done on teens, it is not appropriate for children under 15 years.

Preparation for Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery is not a simple surgery: You will have to recover from the pain and get going. The physician or surgeon needs to prepare the patient for it mentally.

Proper post-surgery care must be maintained, so the surgeon must consult. The procedure will be discussed at length, followed by probable risks and benefits.

If the person qualifies for bariatric surgery, instructions will be given to prepare them for the surgery.

This can include avoiding specific foods or liquids, medications, and other things before the day of surgery. Several laboratory tests are also conducted before the surgery.

Expectations: Before the Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric is all about surgical weight loss, and a person needs to know several things beforehand.

The surgery is not a single procedure but a lifelong change process that you have to manage for the rest of your life.

You can attend a seminar that considers the surgery, its benefits, risks, and other factors.

Meeting with the surgeon will give you insights about the procedure, provide you with time to recover, lead a healthy life, and prevent you from being obese with an optimal weight.

If you expect how Bariatric surgery is performed, it is done in the hospital. You will be given general anesthesia, and you will remain unconscious during the surgery.

Bariatric surgery remains a laparoscopic surgery where the surgeon does not use a traditional method of a large incision in the abdomen.

With this technique, the surgery can be done in a shorter period, though it does not suit all patients. It depends on the person, type of surgery, and other factors.

Types of Bariatric Surgery

The Bariatric surgery procedure causes weight loss by changing how the digestive system works.

A person undergoing surgery often experiences hormonal changes, malabsorption of nutrients, and gastric restriction.

There are four types of bariatric surgery. Each type has advantages and disadvantages, depending on how it suits the individual.

The physician or surgeon will recommend what type of surgery will be performed on the patient.

Gastric Bypass Surgery

It is a standard weight loss surgery categorized under Bariatric surgery. It controls the amount of food consumed by a person by changing the gut hormones.

Thus, a person experiences reduced appetite, which leads to a significant weight loss of up to 60 to 80% of the excess weight.

The most important part of this surgery is that it reverses the factor that induces type 2 diabetes because of obesity.

In contrast, the surgery might lead to Vitamin B12 deficiency and other required minerals such as iron, calcium, etc.

This is because the surgery reduces the absorption of the needed nutrients. As it is a complicated surgery, the patient can experience much more complication rates than in other surgeries.

It requires the patient to stay longer in the hospital.

Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery

This laparoscopic surgery works on the procedure of removing a large area of the stomach.

The remaining part of the abdomen helps consume less food. It further impacts weight loss by suppressing hunger, lowering blood sugar levels, and giving a feeling of satisfaction.

Compared to Gastric bypass surgery, sleeve surgery involves a shorter stay for the patient in the hospital. However, it also leads to vitamin deficiency.

Adjustable Gastric Band Surgery

The procedure involves placing an inflatable band around the stomach’s upper portion, dividing the lower part of the abdomen below the band.

This way, a patient who underwent surgery will consume less food as the smaller stomach can hold a pouch.

It creates a feeling of fullness, further reducing hunger and helping to decrease calorie intake.

A patient can rest for 24 hours after the surgery takes place. This surgery does not involve cutting part of the stomach or routing the intestines.

The main advantage of this surgery type is that it can be adjustable and reversible according to the patient’s needs.

However, the disadvantage is that this surgery has a slower weight loss rate than other procedures.

Secondly, this type of surgery fails to achieve weight loss in patients. As it requires a foreign device to remain in the body, the patient might experience dilation of the esophagus if overeating is done.

Biliopancreatic Diversion With Duodenal Switch Surgery

This type of Bariatric surgery involves two subparts.

The first part is similar to a sleeve Gastroscopy, whereas the second part involves connecting the end portion of the intestine to the duodenum near the stomach.

That is why the name has diversion and switch. It bypasses a more significant part of the intestine.

It reduces appetite by changing gut hormones, resulting in more significant weight loss. This is the most effective surgery for avoiding diabetes.

However, it has been found to have many more complication rates, leading to patient death. It also causes protein and vitamin deficiencies.

Expectations: After the Bariatric Surgery

The biggest fear after bariatric surgery is regaining weight. It is easier to gain weight after surgery, and most people expect to gain weight in a year or two.

The most probable reason is that the patient did not go for the proper procedure or did not follow the diet control plan.

Further, the health risks increase if the person does not control the diet and regain weight.

Bariatric surgery is a method to prevent obesity, not a wonder that will automatically reduce weight. People should follow a strict regime to maintain weight loss.

Following bariatric surgery, one should start eating healthy food to stay active.

As the surgery makes you deficient in vitamins and minerals, this is needed, or else you will fall prey to comorbidities.

Any doctor will recommend keeping meals small, eating and drinking usually, and drinking plenty of fluids. The best part is chewing food thoroughly and avoiding high fat and sugar foods.

Potential Risks: Bariatric Surgery

As it is a surgery, you can expect potential health risks for either a shorter or long-term duration. The patient who has operated on any bariatric surgery can expect the risks mentioned below.

• Blood clots and excessive bleeding
• Gastrointestinal system leakage
• Breathing problems or lung infection
• Internal infection is possible because of the foreign device and changing the stomach anatomy.
• The surgery can be fatal in rare case scenarios
• This leads to diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting
• Low blood sugar levels
• Gastro acid reflux (GERD)

The Benefits of Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery is a boon for obese people who expect weight loss. Nevertheless, it depends on what type of surgery a patient is recommended by the surgeon based on obesity and other factors.

The surgery can benefit the patient by changing eating habits and lifestyle. It is possible to lose excess weight, and people can turn from obese to leading a normal life.

However, the surgery doesn’t only focus on weight loss. It may improve the underlying complications and other conditions of being overweight, such as,

• High blood pressure
• Type 2 diabetes
• Joint pains (arthritis or osteoarthritis)
• Sleep apnea (irregular breathing that even stops during sleep)
• Coronary heart diseases and much more

bariatric surgery – addresses heart diseases

Does Insurance Cover Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric surgery is not just a routine surgery; that is why it is expensive. However, patients whose insurance policy or health cover includes weight loss surgery can claim the benefits.

Based on the policy, most plans will pay you for any surgery, such as gastric bypass, sleeve surgery, gastric band, or duodenal switch surgery.

Meanwhile, some weight loss procedures are not fully covered by insurance plans. However, patients can avail of discounts, tax savings, and different financing options.

Finding a weight loss surgeon is the best way to learn more about how the surgery will work. Patients can also ask for a surgery quote beforehand and attend a seminar to learn more about bariatric surgery.

Wrap it up

It is successful when a patient reduces weight after bariatric surgery and does not regain it.

It does not create any wonder; the only thing is that patients should control their diet. Proper control can avoid several health risks.

However, the procedures are still evolving, so surgery focuses on success by providing health benefits and reducing risk factors. The surgery reverses the clock, allowing you to lead a quality life.

Find a surgeon and get the best recommended surgery according to your BMI.

Stay healthy and stay safe. If you can’t afford bariatric surgery, you may be eligible for grants for weight loss surgery.