Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery is a surgical procedure performed to aid in weight loss for individuals who are severely obese and have been unable to lose weight through diet, exercise, or medication. It involves various surgical techniques that modify the digestive system to reduce the amount of food intake and/or the absorption of nutrients, leading to significant weight loss and improvements in obesity-related health conditions.
Causes: Bariatric surgery is typically considered for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher (severe obesity) or a BMI of 35 or higher with obesity-related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, or heart disease. Candidates for bariatric surgery have often struggled with obesity for years and have not been able to achieve significant and sustainable weight loss through other means.
Treatment: There are several types of bariatric surgery, each with its own mechanism of action and potential benefits. Common bariatric procedures include:
Gastric bypass: This procedure involves creating a small pouch from the stomach and connecting it directly to the small intestine, bypassing a portion of the stomach and intestine to reduce the amount of food intake and calorie absorption.
Sleeve gastrectomy: This procedure involves removing a large portion of the stomach, leaving behind a smaller “sleeve” or tube-shaped stomach, which restricts the amount of food that can be eaten and helps control hunger.
Adjustable gastric banding: This procedure involves placing an inflatable band around the upper part of the stomach to create a smaller stomach pouch, limiting food intake and promoting weight loss.
Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD/DS): This procedure involves removing a portion of the stomach and rerouting the intestines to reduce both food intake and nutrient absorption.
Bariatric surgery is not a quick fix for obesity but rather a tool to help individuals achieve significant and sustainable weight loss when combined with lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet and regular exercise. It can also lead to improvements or resolution of obesity-related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, and joint pain.
