Bariatric Surgery – Need, Risks and Benefits

Bariatric surgery is a surgical treatment that aims at achieving weight loss in overweight people who are 100 pounds or more and have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or greater. It is the last course of action for those who have not found success with other, non-invasive and traditional forms of weight loss like diet, workout and medicine. In some situations, where the patient has a BMI of 35 or close, suffering from one or multiple co-morbid risk factors, may be recommended bariatric surgery to enhance the quality of life.

How does Bariatric Surgery work?

Bariatric surgery includes an array of procedures, like gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, adjustable gastric banding and gastric balloon surgery, all of which work by altering the anatomy of the gastrointestinal track and fat metabolism. Regardless of which gastric bariatric surgery the surgeon and yourself narrow down on, it is important to remember that bariatric weight loss surgery is just a tool for weight loss. The success of the same depends upon many other important aspects, such as diet, exercise and lifestyle changes.

These surgeries alter one’s gastrointestinal anatomy in different ways. Certain gastric bariatric surgery procedures have an impact on the production of intestinal hormones towards reducing hunger. Gastric surgery for obesity in today’s time is performed via minimally invasive techniques and each aims at restricting the capacity of food held by the stomach through different means.

Surgical Risks for Gastric Bypass:

Each surgical procedure varies and hence the risks associated with each differ substantially. Bariatric weight loss surgery has risks that include, but are not limited to:

• Bleeding
• Post-Surgical Pain
• Complications due to anaesthesia
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Infection or opening of stitches
• Abdominal hernia
• Leaks
• Inflammation
• Pulmonary embolism
• Stroke or heart attack
• Fatality

Other minor post-surgical complications are:

• Susceptibility to Urinary tract infection
• Indigestion
• Ulcers
• Stomach-ache
• Gastric Reflux
• Bloating
• Weight regain

Benefits of Bariatric Surgery:              

Bariatrics surgery is not simply a means of achieving weight loss, but a way of attaining a healthier life. Obesity related disorders such as the ones mentioned below, which are all potentially life-threatening diseases, can be resolved with the help of a successful bariatric surgery:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Chronic heart conditions
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Sleep apnea
• Obesity induced cancer
• Osteoarthritis or Joint pain

Important Points to remember before opting for Bariatric Surgery:

• Bariatric surgery should not be considered until one has explored all other options for weight loss.
• A Gastric Bariatric surgery is not a cosmetic means of weight reduction.
• Bariatrics surgery is not the removal of fat by suction or surgical removal.
• The surgery has numerous mild to severe risks that should be deliberated upon.
• One needs to commit to a lifetime of changes in diet and exercise, which are key in maintaining the results of a bariatric surgery.
• Complications in surgery may be subjected to further needs to operate.

Bariatric weight loss surgery is a successful way to significantly reduce, in people suffering from morbid obesity, the danger of muscular deterioration, cardio vascular illness, diabetes and other weight related conditions thereby increasing longevity and quality of life substantially in most cases.

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