What is bariatric surgery?
- What is bariatric surgery
- Who is a good candidate for bariatric surgery
- Types of bariatric surgery
- Benefits of bariatric surgery
For most people, obesity is only a matter of appearance. But the truth is that obesity is a chronic condition with several health consequences. Unfortunately, those who suffer from obesity also find it more difficult to lose enough weight to improve their health and life quality. If you are experiencing this problem, you might want to learn more about what is bariatric surgery.
What is Bariatric Surgery?
Bariatric surgery, also known as weight-loss surgery or metabolic surgery, is a surgical operation that involves making changes to a patient’s digestive system to lose weight.
Who Is A Good Candidate For Bariatric Surgery?
It’s important to remember that bariatric surgery is intended for obese people who need to lose weight but have not been able to through several non-surgical methods. For example, your doctor might recommend bariatric surgery when exercising, and dieting hasn’t worked for you, and your obesity is already causing serious health problems like sleep apnea, asthma, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Bariatric surgery may be an option for people with:
- A body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more
- A BMI of 30 or more with a serious obese-related health problems
- A BMI of 30 or more and have not been able to lose weight through non-surgical methods
- Choosing to go through bariatric surgery to lose weight is a major decision. Make sure to ask your doctor if it is the best option for you.
Types of Bariatric Surgery
There are different types of bariatric surgery. The procedure that will work best for you will depend on various factors, such as your health or your preference. Some bariatric surgical procedures can work by limiting the amount of food your stomach can hold, while other bariatric surgical procedures can restrict your body’s ability to absorb calories and nutrients. Some procedures can do both.
Sleeve Gastrectomy
With Sleeve Gastrectomy, approximately 80% of the stomach is removed. What is left is a sleeve or tube-shaped pouch. The smaller stomach can’t hold as much food as before.
Sleeve Gastrectomy also lessens the production of the appetite-regulating hormone known as ghrelin. As a result, you will have less appetite.
Gastric Bypass
Gastric Bypass is one of the most common types of bariatric surgery. There are two parts to this procedure.
First, the surgeon creates a small pouch in the top portion of the stomach. This pouch is divided from the rest of the stomach and is only about the size of a walnut. As a result, it can hold only an ounce of food. Without a Gastric Bypass, your stomach can hold 3 pints of food.
Second, the surgeon sews part of the small intestine directly into the newly created pouch. As a result, the food travels through the small pouch and then the small intestines. This causes changes to the food course and gut hormones.
Gastric Bypass decreases the amount of food your stomach can handle and restricts the body’s ability to absorb calories and nutrients.
Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD-DS)
The Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch involves two procedures and the first one is similar to sleeve gastrectomy.
First, a stomach portion is formed into a tube-shaped pouch or sleeve. Second, the end portion of the intestine is connected to the duodenum near the stomach. What this does is bypasses the majority of the intestine.
Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch reduces the amount of food the stomach can hold and reduces the absorption of calories and nutrients.
Benefits of Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery is by far the faster and most effective weight-loss solution for those with obesity. It can also help with obesity-related health problems including:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Cardiovascular disease
- Stroke
- High cholesterol
- Sleep apnea
For patients with severe obesity, bariatric surgery is proven to extend years of life. After the procedure, you may be able to move better, have improved moods, and have a better overall quality of life.
Key Takeaway
Several adverse health consequences come with obesity, such as sleep apnea, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and more. This is why it’s important to know what is bariatric surgery and find out if it is the best option for you.
At the ALTA Integrative Medicine of the Perpetual Help Medical Center-Las Pinas, we offer bariatric surgery. Contact us at (+632) 8874-ALTA | (+632) 8874-8515 or visit us at Alabang-Zapote Rd., Pamplona III Las Pinas City, Philippines 1740!
