Bariatric surgery

By Weight Loss Consultant • Related • Filed Under

Bariatric surgery is a very popular alternative right now for people who are considered morbidly obese and have tried other weight loss programs and diets but have been unsuccessful in losing the weight they need to. This is surgery however, and there are risks at any time when a procedure such as this is performed. Anyone considering this type of procedure should educate themselves about the benefits and risks since there are complications and side effects of surgery that can be significant in some cases.

There are several different procedures that can be performed. This article will discuss the types of bariatric or weight loss surgery that are performed most today. Pre-existing health conditions need to be considered before opting for a surgical procedure. Anyone considering this should sit down with a competent surgeon. A thorough history and physical should be performed as well as lab tests to make sure they are a good candidate for surgery. There should also be a thorough discussion between the surgeon and potential surgery patient explaining each of the procedures that are available to them and the risks and benefits that are attached to each one.

The most long standing bariatric surgical procedure is the gastric bypass surgery. It is commonly called the “stomach stapling procedure” by most laymen. In this procedure, the largest part of the stomach is stapled off and a small pouch formed that holds approximately ½ cup of food at a time. This procedure is considered safer than procedures in the past where the rest of the stomach was removed completely during surgery. The intestine is then rerouted to jejunum which bypasses the duodenum.  This significantly reduces the nutrients that are digested. This procedure works by reducing food eaten as well as the amount of nutrients digested.

Advantages of this procedure include quick weight loss with clinical studies reporting 75-90% of excess weight lost over a period of one to five years postoperatively. Maintenance of ideal weight and proper nutrition can be attained as long as the person adheres to the diet and routines that are given to them to use after surgery.

Some of the draw backs of this surgery are that the stomach can be stretched if the right amounts of foods are not eaten as directed. This includes both liquids and foods. Malnutrition, anemia, and bone disease have been reported if nutritional supplements are not utilized after surgery The patient will need to take multi vitamins with iron and minerals for life in order to get all the nutrients needed for good health.. This also can weaken the immune system so patients are at higher risk of contracting infections.

People have reported frequent diarrhea stools after surgery which in some patients will stabilize itself with time. Gall stones can develop after this type of surgery and the gall bladder may need to be removed if this happens. This type of surgery is extremely hard maybe impossible to reverse.

The second type of surgery is reportedly a safer procedure to use as it can be adjusted or reversed without complications if needed. It is called the lap band surgery and it is the most popular type of weight loss surgery at this time. The lap band is a restrictive plastic band that is placed around the top of the stomach and divides the stomach into two parts. Feeling full after eating small portions of foods is achieved by doing this. In this surgery, the intestine is not bypassed so food is digested normally.

The restrictive bands can be adjusted as needed for the individual. This surgery is easily reversed, and malabsorption is not an issue. The hospital stay for this procedure is approximately half the time that is required for the traditional gastric bypass surgery, usually two to three days.

Complications of this procedure include leakage can occur around the band, and the bands sometimes slip or move to another area of the abdomen. If this does happen, the band can be adjusted with a minimally invasive procedure.

Related information

» Bariatric surgery Has 3 Users’ Feecbacks. »

  1. Comment by Francine Hemway on 13 September 2008:

    I am one of the millions who lose and gain, lose and gain more — or I was one for 40 years. I had my last non-diet soda when I was 10. I was at weight watchers at 14. I was morbidly obese by 21. At 40 I considered bariatric surgery, but my research showed so many possible complications i scared me off the idea. When I was 49 I discovered I had Candida — and when I got the Candida under control, I lost 186 pounds – which I have kept off (without dieting!) for over 7 years. I lost the first 125 pounds without exercising – though if I had to do it again I would have at least walked or stretchercised. I wrote Beauty and the Yeast Beast: from Fat to Fairy Tale to help others like me. I put lots of free information about Candida and weight loss and how you can lose weight permanently on my website. IF you, or someone you care about, suffers from the brutality of obesity, please check my site, beautyandtheyeastbeast.com.

  2. Comment by Sophia Jason on 29 October 2008:

    Bariatric surgery continue to be a valuable solution for treating obesity and it reduces several health complications associated with being overweight like hypertension, sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes. A successful surgery helps in removing complications, increases lifespan. Effective weight management and a healthy body is the result of the Weight loss surgery. Learn more about bariatric procedures in our information guide, or consult with a bariatric surgeon.

  3. Comment by Panthera on 13 November 2008:

    I am 18 mos post-op for RNY gastric bypass. I a still relatively a newbie. This has been a life altering procedure … for the positive! I have so much more energy and *interest* in my life. I ran into my surgeon last night after my post-op group support meeting. It was delightful. I would do it again in a heartbeat! And Thank Goddess I have those heartbeats to swear upon.

    The only co-morbidity I had was sleep apnea which has been “cured”. I was not diabetic, nor did I have high cholesterol, high blood pressure or any of the other things that come with obesity.

    It has been a life long struggle. I work best with a focus and my “pouch” gives me that focus.

    With the right program and proper mind-set, this is an excellent option. But to be brutal, if you do not change your brain and food choices you make, you will fail. The national regain rate is 30%.

    This is not the easy way out. It is frigging hard. The surgery is a simple tool. All the hard work goes into every choice you make every day and the changes you make in your brain. IT IS NOT A QUICK FIX.

    My Stats

    384.0 – 11.26.06 – Highest – BMI 63.9
    378.5 – 03.06.07 – 5hr orientation
    340.0 – goal weight
    320.0 – 05.29.07 – Surgery (12 wks later)
    180.0 – 05.29.08 – 1st Surgiversary
    160.0 – 11.11.08 – Current – BMI 26.6

    224.0 – Total Lost (58.34%)
    160.0 – Total Since Surgery (50%)

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