Weight Loss Surgeries

 

Of course- it's always best to lose weight through a healthy diet and regular physical activity. But if person who’s planning surgery is among those who have tried and couldn’t lose the excess weight which is causing health problems, weight-loss surgery may be an option. The principal role of any gastrointestinal surgery for obesity, also called bariatric surgery, is to alter the digestive process. The operations can be divided into three types:

Restrictive operations limit food intake by creating a narrow passage from the upper part of the stomach into the larger lower part, reducing the amount of food the stomach can hold and slowing the passage of food through the stomach.

Malabsorptive operations do not limit food intake, but instead exclude most of the small intestine from the digestive tract so fewer calories and nutrients are absorbed. Malabsorptive operations, also called intestinal bypasses, are no longer recommended because they result in severe nutritional deficiencies.

Combined operations use stomach restriction and a partial bypass of the small intestine.

It is however important to point out that surgery is not a definite solution to the problem of morbid obesity but rather an emergency action in order to prevent the development of secondary conditions and complications. Patients should not be lead to believe that all problems will be gone once they have undergone surgery.

Every patient should know that purely restrictive operations for obesity include adjustable gastric banding (AGB) and vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG).

What's important about this procedure? Well, a hollow band made of silicone rubber is placed around the stomach near its upper end. This is creating a small pouch and a narrow passage into the rest of the stomach. The most important thing about this operation is that the band is then connected with a salt solution through a tube that connects to an access port placed under the skin. Therefore- it can be tightened or loosened over time to change the size of the passage by increasing or decreasing the amount of salt solution.

This operation uses a band and staples to create a small stomach pouch. The fact is that before- this was the most common restrictive operation, but today- it isn't so frequently done!

Everyone should know that combined operations are the most common bariatric procedures. They are also the most effective because they restrict food intake and the amount of calories the body absorbs.

This operation is the most common and successful combined procedure in the United States. The surgeon creates a small stomach pouch to restrict food intake after which a Y-shaped section of the small intestine is attached to the pouch to allow food to bypass the lower stomach, the duodenum and part of jejunum! Logically- this reduces significantly the amount of calories and nutrients the body absorbs.  

This is far more complicated operation in which the whole lower portion of the stomach is being removed. The small pouch that remains is connected directly to the final segment of the small intestine, completely bypassing the duodenum and the jejunum. Although this procedure leads to weight loss, it is used less often than other types of operations because of the high risk for nutritional deficiencies

Well, almost everyone knows now that in laparoscopy- the surgeon makes one or more small incisions through which tube-like surgical instruments are passed. What's good about this technique is that it eliminates the need for a large incision and creates less tissue damage. Logically- the small incisions result in less blood loss, shorter hospitalization, a faster recovery, and fewer complications than open operations.  Compared with traditional "open" gastric bypass, the laparoscopic technique usually shortens hospital stay and leads to a quicker recovery. Fewer wound-related problems also occur. Not everyone is a candidate for laparoscopic gastric bypass, however.  

Every patient should know that gastric bypass surgery literally changes the anatomy of digestive system all in order to limit the amount of food a person can eat and digest. Another fact is that most surgeons prefer this procedure because it's safer and has fewer complications than other available weight-loss surgeries. Every patient should also know that it's a major procedure that poses significant risks and side effects.

Although many people don’t know this- the proven fact is that gastric bypass surgery is reserved for people who are unable to achieve or maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise. It is also indicated for those severely overweight, and who have health problems as a result. Gastric bypass may be considered if:

It is extremely important to understand that no weigh loss surgery replaces the need for following a healthy diet and regular physical activity program.  

 

Every potential patient should know that not everyone meets the criteria for gastric bypass because patient should be psychologically and medically ready for the surgical procedure. This involves identifying which aspects of health would be expected to improve after surgery and what aspects of health may increase the risks of surgery. The surgery may not be recommended or may be postponed if there's any sign that you aren't psychologically or medically ready for surgery. Just before the operation there are several restrictions such as limited eating, drinking, starting a program of physical activity, and limiting or stopping the use nicotine products.

 

 What's most important there is to know about this procedure? Well, the surgeon staples patient’s stomach across the top, sealing it off from the rest of your stomach. What is the result- the gastric pouch is about the size of a walnut and can hold just about an ounce of food.  It is important to understand that this bypass redirects food, skipping most of stomach and the first section of small intestine, the duodenum. That’s how- food enters directly into the second section of small intestine, the jejunum, limiting your ability to absorb calories. It is also important to know that every gastric bypass surgery is performed under a general anesthesia and the whole operation takes about four hours. Sometimes hospital stay may last from three to five days. Following the month of liquid diet, the patient is advised to eat mashed food, and thereafter use small portions of normal food.

Patient will not be allowed to eat for one to two days after the surgery so that stomach can heal properly. After this period- patient will follow a specific dietary progression for about 12 weeks. This begins with liquids only, proceeds to pureed and soft foods, and finally to regular foods. It is important to know that, in the first six months after surgery, eating too much or too fast may cause vomiting or an intense pain under breastbone. Some patient may experience one or more of the following changes in the first three to six months:

Experts are saying that, within the first two years of surgery, patient can expect to lose 50 percent to 60 percent of excess weight. The period after surgery until the weight is stabilized has to be regarded as a period of relative starvation. It is not advisable to become pregnant during starvation, because the child may suffer from this. When weight loss is completed there is no contraindication to pregnancy. All tablets that patient is using should be divided into small pieces or crushed before they are taken in together with water. It is very common that changes in medication for hypertension, diabetes, asthma or other diseases may be necessary during the period of rapid weight reduction. 

Vomiting is also very common complication of all gastric bypass operations! Most patients will once or twice feel pain or vomit after intake of food. This is in most cases caused by eating too much and too quick. It is proven that, if eating is slow and calm, patients will learn to listen to the signals from the stomach. Nerveless- regular vomiting is a sign of warning. This can either be caused by wrong eating behavior or be caused by the outflow of the gastric pouch becoming too narrow.  

 

Bariatric procedures cost from $20,000 to $35,000. Medical insurance coverage varies by state and insurance provider. If the patient is considering bariatric surgery, he or she should contact some regional Medicare or Medicaid office or insurance plan to find out if the procedure is covered.