Obesity - Weight Loss Surgery

BENEFITS

Obesity surgery also known as Bariatric Surgery or gastric banding or lap banding surgery typically leads to major weight loss. Usually, patients undergoing this operation lose more than 100 pounds.

Bariatric surgery provides a significant chance for improvement in health and well being when it is also accompanied by a change in eating, physical activity and behavioral patterns. In other words: a change in life style for the better.

Obesity is considered a disease, being associated with other illnesses such as: diabetes, heart diseases, asthma, etc. Bariatric surgery has become a proven method for weight loss success and for helping the other diseases sometimes associated with obesity.

To put it simply, the operation manages to restrict the amount of food and drink a patient can eat or drink. It also creates the feeling of fullness faster. The weight loss process involves consuming fewer calories than the burned calories. Because the band is adjustable the feeling of fullness can be controlled.

Here is a brief list of the main benefits of losing weight after obesity surgery:

• the non-insulin diabetes (type 2) may be cured (80% of the cases)
• the conditions of hyperglycemia, hyperinsulimia and insulin resistance can be improved after performing gastric bypass
• high blood pressure is cured in 50% of the patients
• the level of cholesterol is ameliorated
• the sleep apnea can be cured (75% of the cases)
• the shortness of breath can be improved after gastric sugery
• the number and severity of asthma crises can be reduced

Other health benefits include the relief of: lower back pain, arthritis, heartburn, urinary incontinence, etc.

Needless to say, the benefits are psychological as well. Generally, patients are very self conscious of their obese appearance and get frustrated in public. By reducing their weight they may feel better about their looking. In the same time, they will be more able to get access to various activities they didn't tend to do before, like swimming or going to the gym.

PERFORMANCE

The procedures can be of three types: restrictive, mal absorptive or a combination of the two. The restrictive gastric procedure is considered less invasive and safer than the combination of the two procedures often called the "gastric bypass". Although the first type of procedure causes less weight loss than the latter one, the risk of life threatening complications is much lower.

There are slight variations of the technique, but basically the operation undergoes as follows.

Under general anaesthesia, the surgeon will make several small incisions in the patient's abdomen. Through these openings, the doctor inserts a small video camera - like device called laparoscope. The purpose is to get visual access inside the patient's stomach without making large incisions.

The stomach will be separated into two parts by a silicone band that is placed around the main portion of the stomach. Filled with saline solution the band tightness will adjust the amount of volume that the upper compartment of the stomach can hold. This means the amount of food that can be had is restricted. Restriction is regulated by the amount of saline contained in the band. The band is connected through a thin tube to an access port located close to the skin so that the doctor can easily add or remove the saline solution.

RISKS

All surgeries come with the possibility of complications, but fortunately their incidence is quite small. There is even a slight risk of death from the complications that may appear after bariatric surgery but this is extremely rare.

The post-operative health risks of restrictive weight loss surgeries like gastric-banding include:

Slippage of the band

This and other band problems can be corrected surgically if diagnosed early.

Food intolerances

In certain cases, food intolerances or even perforation of the stomach may lead to the band removal.

Internal bleeding and blood clots

There is 1% chance of blood clots occurring in the legs after surgery.

Infections

There is a small risk of infection in the incision area if the procedure is open and the laparascope is not used.

Pulmonary problems

Heart attack

Vomiting

The vomiting may develop when the small stomach pouch is stretched by food particles that have not been chewed well.

Hernia

In 10-20% of the cases, abdominal hernia may occur. It can be caused by vomiting or straining after surgery usually before the incision heals. Laparoscopy-assisted surgery greatly reduces hernia risk.

Questions

A consultation should occur between you and your surgeon before the day of surgery. You should ask your doctor to provide you information related to: benefits, risks, various surgical techniques, qualification and others.

It is recommended that you look at before and after photos, advise with other patients and get answers from your surgeon.

Please find below several questions related to obesity surgery:

• What is the length of the surgery?
• What is the specific diet after the surgery?
• How can I achieve long term weight loss success?
• Is exercising recommended after this operation?
• Please describe the surgical procedure in detail.
• How often after surgery should I follow up with my doctor?
• What kind of anesthesia will be used?
• What is the surgeon's policy in regards to correcting or repeating the procedure if the operation does not meet the initial goals?
• Will I experience deep pain or vomiting after the operation?
• What percentage of patients experience complications following the surgery?
• What are the side effects and risks of this procedure?