Bariatric Surgery: Types, Benefits, and Risks

What Is Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric surgery is a procedure performed to help individuals lose weight. It is also known as weight loss surgery. This procedure is indicated for those who pose health risks due to obesity. This procedure helps in modifying the digestive system. Generally, it attempts to modify your stomach, and occasionally, the small intestine. This further enables you to maintain control over the calories you consume and absorb. This can reduce the hunger signals from traveling to the brain.

Many metabolic diseases, such as diabetes and fatty liver disease, can be treated with bariatric surgery and can also be prevented. This procedure is not straightforward; it requires preparation before the procedure and lifestyle changes to be followed afterwards. The procedure will be successful, provided you follow the instructions given both before and after the procedure.

Bariatric surgery can help manage weight for the long term. This, in turn, helps improve overall health, enhance mobility, and enhance quality of life.

Why Is Bariatric Surgery Performed?

Bariatric surgery is considered when an individual‘s quality of life is to be improved. Its results last for a longer duration. This helps in avoiding health risks posed by obesity. This procedure is done only when other routes, such as diet and exercise, are not helping in reducing weight.

Bariatric surgery helps reduce stomach size. This helps in reducing food intake. It also changes how the body absorbs energy. The person experiences satiation after this procedure.

Due to these reasons, the person experiences a feeling of fullness.

The person undergoing bariatric surgery must be ready for severe risks and side effects. They have to accept that they need to adapt to different lifestyle changes. This is done to maintain the results achieved by bariatric surgery in terms of weight loss.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Bariatric Surgery?

According to the Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society of India (OSSI), individuals who exhibit one or more of the following criteria can be good candidates for bariatric surgery. These include:

• Individuals with a body mass index (BMI) above 32.5 kg/m2 and with obesity related issues.

• Those with a BMI above 37.5 kg/m2.. These need not be associated with obesity related issues.

• People with a BMI of 30 kg/m2 with conditions related to obesity, like diabetes, heart disease, and obstructive sleep apnea.

• Individuals who are willing to lose weight and are ready to follow up for the long term.

• Individuals who have already tried other methods to lose weight and have not succeeded.

• This procedure is typically considered for individuals between the ages of 18 and 65 years. Some exceptions may apply depending on individual medical conditions.

What Are the Main Types of Bariatric Surgery?

There are many types of bariatric surgery. Each one of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. The main types of bariatric surgery include:

• Roux-en-Y gastric bypass:

This type is the most commonly used type of bariatric surgery (BS). This works by reducing the food you intake and the absorption of fat and calories. In this type of procedure, the surgeon forms a stomach pouch that is the size of a walnut. Then he cuts a part of the small intestine, and then he sews it to the stomach pouch. This allows the food to reach the middle part of the small intestine directly.

• Sleeve gastrectomy:

In this type of BS, almost 80 percent of your stomach is removed, leaving only a tube-like structure. As a result, it cannot hold more food, and it also starts to produce less appetite-regulating hormones. This further helps reduce cravings for food.

• Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch BPD/DS:

This type of surgery is done in two parts. In the first part, sleeve gastrectomy is done. After this, the surgeon in the second part closes off the middle part of the small intestine. He attaches the last part of the small intestine directly to the first part (duodenum) of it. This is also known as the duodenal switch. The separated middle portion is not removed, but it is reattached to the end of the intestine. This allows bile and pancreatic digestive juices to flow into this part of the intestine. This is also called biliopancreatic diversion. This procedure helps by limiting the amount of food you eat and also helps in reducing the absorption of nutrients. This procedure has been found to be highly effective in weight loss; however, it can also lead to malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies.

• Single-anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S):

SADI-S is done in two steps. In this type of surgery, the sleeve gastrectomy is done first. After this step, a portion of the small intestine, called the duodenum, is closed off just below the new stomach sleeve. This opening below the new stomach is then connected with part of the lower small intestine called the ileum. This is also called duodeno-ileal bypass. This bypass helps in reducing the time it takes for food to move through the small intestine. This shows that the time taken and the distance travelled by food is less, so that the fat and calories absorbed are less.

Your healthcare provider usually decides the type of surgery required. This again depends on your situation. The surgeon may consider several factors before making a decision. These may include:

• BMI.

• Eating habits.

• Other health issues.

• Surgeries that have already been done.

• Risks associated with each procedure.

How Do You Prepare for Bariatric Surgery?

Once you are selected for bariatric surgery, you will be instructed to get prepared for the upcoming surgery. Unlike before any surgery, you may have to undergo laboratory tests and examinations. You may have limitations on what you can eat, drink, and which medications to take. You may be advised to do a physical activity program and to stop tobacco use. You may be assessed for your psychological readiness and support. Sometimes, weight loss may be recommended to reduce the surgical risks.

What Are the Benefits of Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric surgery not only reduces obesity but also offers numerous benefits to the person undergoing it. These include:

• Weight loss achieved with surgery is long-term.

• If type 2 diabetes is present, improvement can be observed after surgery.

• This surgery helps reduce the risk of heart attacks and stroke.

• The procedure helps in improving blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

• It helps reduce the severity of sleep apnea symptoms.

• Bariatric surgery helps improve one’s mobility and quality of life.

• It reduces the overall risk of early death.

What Are the Risks and Complications of Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric surgery, along with its benefits, also has risks unlike other surgeries. The risks may become apparent shortly after the procedure is completed or may develop over time. These risks should be known to the individuals undergoing the procedure. This helps prepare the person, allowing them to choose the procedure carefully.

The risks developed after a short period of the procedure include:

• If bleeding occurs excessively either during or after the surgery, you need immediate medical help.

• Suppose infections occur at the incision site or internally; they should be monitored closely.

• Blood clots, if formed due to conditions like deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, can pose risks after the surgery.

• If any fluid leakage occurs from the stapled or sutured area, it can pose a risk.

• Sometimes, adverse reactions may occur due to anesthesia. These may vary from mild to severe complications.

Long-term risks that occur after bariatric surgery include:

• Deficiencies of vitamins and minerals, called nutritional deficiencies, can occur. It needs lifelong intake of supplements.

• Bowel obstruction due to blockages in the intestine can cause a risk. This may need surgery.

• This procedure may cause a risk of developing gallstones. This is because weight loss occurs rapidly.

• Ulcers may develop among those who smoke and take some medications.

• Dumping syndrome (rapid stomach emptying) can occur. This causes nausea, diarrhea, or dizziness after meals.

• In the incision site or internally, hernias may develop.

• If lifestyle changes are not maintained, weight gain may occur.

How Is Recovery Managed After Weight Loss Surgery?

After weight loss, you need to take certain steps to ensure the success of your bariatric surgery. These include:

• Individuals who underwent the surgery must be closely monitored for any complications.

• There should be a gradual shift from liquid to solid foods.

• Pain after surgery should be well-managed.

• Formation of blood clots may be prevented by early mobilization.

• Regularly following up with your healthcare provider team is important.

• Vitamins and minerals supplementation should be taken for life.

Conclusion

Bariatric surgery is an important procedure that can be opted for weight loss and to treat many conditions related to obesity. As it gives lasting results and improves the quality of life, it can be considered after consulting your surgeon, despite having risks and complications. It is important to understand everything about bariatric surgery to get the maximum benefits of it.

Key Takeaway From iCliniq

Many people find it extremely challenging to lose weight. Bariatric surgery is a boon to obese people as it provides a long-term solution to lose and maintain weight. Hence, it is important to know about bariatric surgery. For more information, you can consult a general surgeon at iCliniq.