What You Need To Know About Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery

By Walter Snyder


Being overweight or obese are conditions that make individuals uncomfortable, prone to chronic diseases, physically unfit and are associated with low self-esteem and self-confidence. People with such conditions may be limited to various activities. However, this can be reversed by use bariatric weight loss surgery. This surgery entails a variety of procedures that are performed on the patient suffering from overweight or obesity. The main activities and techniques undertaken by this method involve the reduction in the size of stomach and food reservoirs.

Following this procedure, weight loss is achieved since the volume of the food taken is controlled by the reduced stomach size. At the same time, malabsorption of the nutrient is stimulated through other procedures in order to reduce abnormal weight gain. This can also be performed through hormonal manipulation where digestion hormones are deactivated. Mostly, these techniques under bariatric surgery are laparoscopic in nature.

The commonly known techniques under this surgical procedure include the sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, biliopancreatic diversion, adjustable gastric band, and duodenal switch among others. However, the effectiveness of every technique depends on the physician performing it. Also, it depends on the biological factors and the response of the patient towards the procedure.

Gastric bypass is performed in order to reduce the amount of food that the stomach can hold as well as inhibiting release of certain hormones. The upper and lower stomach surfaces are reduced making the upper pouch small therefore holding small food volumes. Formation of this smaller pouch is effective in that the amount held is relatively low reducing the digestive system activities and eventually reducing the body mass.

The procedure is advantageous in that, hormones that stimulate hunger and cause craving are not produced therefore suppressing hunger and increasing satiety. Diabetes type 2 and obesity are addressed by this technique in the most effective manner. Proper energy use in the body is also enhanced by this procedure. On the contrary, the procedure is complex and can result in life-threatening complications. It is also associated with causing a deficiency in minerals and vitamins in the body. Bed rest, recovery and healing time for this procedure is long.

Another bariatric procedure is the sleeve gastrectomy. This technique is usually aimed at minimizing the stomach size significantly. A pouch that looks similar to a banana is left where the ingested food goes. This technique is great for controlling blood sugar, promoting satiety, and hunger suppression. The main disadvantage is that it cannot be reversed. It is also possible to have complications after some time.

Another technique under this procedure is the use of the adjustable gastric band. This technique is effective in reducing the stomach size by use of an inflatable band which can be adjusted whenever the need arises. This procedure is effective in reducing the size and volume of the stomach making it hold less food volume. It is also a reversible as well as adjustable procedure.

The disadvantage of the adjustable gastric band is a lower rate of effectiveness and you must stick to some dietary regulations. Also, some allergic reactions may arise due to the foreign material.




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