Weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery and metabolic surgery, is a solution for unwanted and excess body fat. This surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that includes different focus areas and treatments, such as gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, gastric band, and duodenal switch. The surgery helps individuals with class III obesity and metabolic problems. Patients who struggle with obesity often also have to deal with health risks like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart risks. This procedure is optimal for treating these health issues as an additional benefit.
Healthcare professionals recommend bariatric surgeries to patients with higher health risks and if other weight reduction methods fail to work or work below the required pace. The mechanism by which these treatments help individuals lose weight differ, as some procedures limit your food intake, and some restrict your nutrient-absorbing ability. But one common thing is effective results.
What is Bariatric Surgery, and How Does it Work?
Today, these metabolic surgeries are among the best treatments of modern science. These treatments work by making small incisions and allow patients to experience less pain and fewer complications, but ensure effective results. They are safe and less risky than other surgical treatments, including hysterectomy and gallbladder removal. The modern medical industry is on the rise, and various surgical options are available for patients to reduce their unwanted fat and weight. But, choosing the right treatment with fewer health risks is crucial.
Bariatric surgery is vital in helping our bodies adjust to weight loss by changing how bodies manage weight. These treatments help the body bear more sustainable results in terms of weight loss and become consistent. Once your body registers your excess body weight as normal, it becomes almost impossible for patients to lose weight with diet and lifestyle changes only.
Different Types of Bariatric Surgical Procedures
There are various types of bariatric surgeries, but the most common ones are:
Gastric Bypass
Sleeve Gastrectomy
Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD-DS)
Stomach Intestinal Pylorus Sparing Surgery (SIPS)
Gastric Bypass
Gastric Bypass is a bariatric surgery treatment, also known as Roux-en-Y, a French word that translates into “in the form of the letter Y.” The surgery is done on the small intestine, shaped like the letter “Y.” The surgeons make a small incision at the top of the patient’s stomach to create a walnut-sized pouch. The pouch makes the patient’s small intestine the first to receive food by bypassing the stomach. This restricts how much food your stomach can hold and how much nutrients it absorbs. Gastric bypass is a combined procedure that restricts portion size and limits the absorption of foods, called malabsorption (the difficulty in the digestion or absorption of nutrients from food).
Sleeve Gastrectomy
Gastric Sleeve or Sleeve Gastrectomy is among the most common bariatric surgery treatments. One of the reasons is the relatively simple procedure that is safe enough for almost all patients with fewer complications. The treatment involves removing a large stomach portion, almost 80%, leaving behind a small tubular stomach portion, like a sleeve.
Logically enough, when the stomach size reduces, a person eats less and fewer nutrients get absorbed in the system. The patient can eat less but also feel fuller and more satisfied. The body signals the brain to release hunger-stimulating hormones. With a small stomach portion, the production of these hormones also decreases. In the long run, this stabilizes the metabolism, decreases the appetite, and regulates blood sugar.
Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD-DS)
Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD-DS) combines a sleeve gastrectomy and an intestinal bypass. This bariatric surgery is also known as Gastric Reduction Duodenal Switch. In simple words, this surgery is similar to a gastric bypass but a little extreme. The focus is reducing hunger hormones produced in the small intestine and your stomach. It also affects the absorption of nutrients, making the duodenal switch the most effective weight loss treatment. Patients can also enjoy additional benefits post-surgery by regulating blood sugar and improving other health risks.
Stomach Intestinal Pylorus Sparing Surgery (SIPS)
SIPS stands for Stomach Intestinal Pylorus Surgery and is a relatively new bariatric surgery that combines the benefits of sleeve gastrectomy and standard gastric bypass. The weight loss results are excellent due to the combination of restricted portion sizes and malabsorption post-treatment.
Who is an Ideal Candidate?
People who are extremely obese are greater than the Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 and face health risks, such as heart disease.
