Bariatric Surgery Department in Udupi

Overview

Gastric bypass, along with other forms of weight-loss surgery collectively known as bariatric or metabolic surgery, modifies your digestive system to facilitate weight loss.

This type of surgery is typically pursued when diet and exercise have not yielded the desired results or when severe health issues arise from obesity. Some surgical methods restrict your food intake, while others decrease your body's capacity to absorb nutrients, and some procedures combine both approaches.

While bariatric surgery can lead to numerous health benefits, it's important to recognize that all weight-loss surgeries are significant medical interventions with potential risks and side effects. To maximize the success of bariatric surgery over the long term, it's crucial to adopt permanent healthy dietary habits and maintain regular physical activity.

What are the common procedures performed in bariatric surgery department

Bariatric surgery involves various surgical procedures aimed at helping patients with severe obesity lose weight. It's typically considered when other weight loss methods haven't worked and the individual faces serious health risks associated with obesity. Here are some of the common procedures performed in a bariatric surgery department:

1. Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB): This procedure involves creating a small pouch from the stomach and connecting the newly created pouch directly to the small intestine. This bypasses a large part of the stomach and a segment of the small intestine, reducing the amount of food the stomach can hold and the nutrients the body absorbs.
2. Sleeve Gastrectomy: Also known as a vertical sleeve gastrectomy, this procedure involves removing approximately 80% of the stomach, leaving a tube-shaped stomach about the size and shape of a banana. This limits the amount of food that can be consumed and diminishes appetite.
3. Adjustable Gastric Band: This involves placing a band around the upper part of the stomach to create a small stomach pouch above the band with a narrow opening to the rest of the stomach. The band's tightness can be adjusted by adding or removing saline through a port placed under the skin.
4. Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS): This surgery is similar to the sleeve gastrectomy because it begins by removing a large portion of the stomach. Additionally, a large part of the small intestine is bypassed. It significantly reduces the amount of food that can be eaten and the nutrients absorbed, particularly fats.
5. Revisional Surgery: These procedures are for patients who have previously undergone bariatric surgery but have experienced complications or have not successfully achieved significant weight loss. These might include adjustments, conversions, or corrections of the initial surgery.

These surgeries are major procedures that can lead to significant weight loss and improve many obesity-related conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea, among others. However, they also come with risks and require significant lifestyle changes, which should be carefully considered and discussed with a healthcare provider.

Why its done?

Bariatric surgery is performed to assist in significant weight loss and to decrease the risk of potentially fatal conditions related to obesity, such as:

• Various cancers, including those of the breast, endometrium, and prostate.
• Heart disease and stroke.
• High blood pressure.
• Elevated cholesterol levels.
• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
• Sleep apnea.
• Type 2 diabetes.

Typically, this surgery is considered only after attempts to lose weight through diet and exercise improvements have been unsuccessful.

Who is an ideal candidate for Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric surgery may be considered if:

• Your body mass index (BMI) is 40 or higher, which falls into the category of extreme obesity.
• Your BMI is between 35 and 39.9, classified as obesity, and you suffer from severe weight-related health issues, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or serious sleep apnea. In certain cases, individuals with a BMI of 30 to 34 who have significant weight-related health problems may also be eligible for weight-loss surgery.

However, not everyone who is severely overweight will qualify for bariatric surgery. There are specific medical criteria you must meet, and you will likely undergo a thorough screening process to determine if you are a candidate. You must also be committed to making permanent lifestyle changes to maintain a healthier lifestyle.

Participation in long-term follow-up programs is often required, which involves monitoring your nutrition, lifestyle, behavior, and medical conditions.

Additionally, bariatric surgery can be costly. It’s important to consult with your health insurance provider or local Medicare or Medicaid office to verify if your plan covers such procedures.

Results of Bariatric Surgery

Gastric bypass and other bariatric surgeries can lead to substantial long-term weight loss. The specific amount of weight lost can vary depending on the type of surgery performed and changes in lifestyle habits. Within two years, it's possible to lose half or more of your excess weight.

Beyond weight reduction, gastric bypass surgery can also help improve or resolve many conditions commonly associated with being overweight, such as:

• Heart disease.
• High blood pressure.
• Elevated cholesterol levels.
• Sleep apnea.
• Type 2 diabetes.
• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
• Joint pain due to osteoarthritis.
• Skin conditions, including psoriasis and acanthosis nigricans, which causes dark discoloration in body folds and creases.

Additionally, gastric bypass surgery can enhance your ability to perform everyday activities, potentially improving your overall quality of life.