Bariatric surgery is surgery that is done to help you lose weight. This procedure is usually performed on obese people who are difficult to overcome only with diet and exercise.
Obesity or being overweight is a serious health problem that can increase the risk of dangerous diseases, such as heart disease and stroke.
In obese sufferers who are threatened with health problems and have not managed to lose weight after trying routine exercise, dieting, or taking drugs, doctors may recommend bariatric surgery.
This operation aims to limit the amount of food that can be stored by the stomach or reduce the absorption of nutrients in the small intestine.
Types of Bariatric Operations
There are several types of bariatric operations that are commonly performed, namely:
1. Gastric bypass
In this procedure, the surgeon will separate the stomach into two parts, namely the upper part which is smaller and the lower part which is bigger. The small intestine will also be cut into shorter pieces and directly connected to the small size of the stomach.
The aim is to reduce food storage space in the stomach and reduce the absorption of nutrients from food in the small intestine.
2. Sleeve gastrectomy
This method is done by removing about 75-80% of the stomach. The remaining part of the stomach is slim and elongated like a banana. That way, the capacity of the stomach is also reduced significantly and patients will become full faster after undergoing this operation.
3. Adjustable gastric band
In this type of bariatric surgery, the stomach will be bound with a special tool that resembles a ring. The doctor can install this tool, then tighten or relax it as needed. This bond will limit the amount of food that can be eaten and make full quickly.
4. Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch
In this procedure, the stomach is cut and connected directly to the end of the small intestine. After undergoing this procedure, food will still be mixed with stomach acid, bile, and digestive enzymes in the large intestine, but the nutrients absorbed by the body will be much reduced.
Of all types of bariatric surgery, this method is the one most at risk of causing malnutrition.
Each type of bariatric operation has its advantages and risks. To determine the most suitable and effective type of bariatric surgery, the doctor will conduct a complete medical examination on the patient first, then determine the choice of bariatric surgery according to the patient's condition.
Candidates for Consideration for Bariatric Operations
Bariatric surgery can be considered by adults who have one of the following conditions:
- Severe obesity, which is a body mass index of more than 40.
- Obesity with a body mass index ranging from 35 to 39.9, but has serious health problems related to obesity, such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea.
Bariatric surgery is rarely performed on teenagers. However, obese adolescents who have passed puberty and have reached maximum height in accordance with their growth can be considered as candidates for bariatric surgery, according to the doctor's consideration.
Usually the type of bariatric surgery recommended for adolescents is the adjustable type of gastric band.
Benefits of Bariatric Operations
Bariatric surgery can provide a variety of benefits, both physically and psychologically. Among others are:
- Able to produce weight loss that lasts for a long time. Research shows that more than 90% of obese people who undergo bariatric surgery experience weight loss, and the results persist for at least 1 year.
- Able to increase life expectancy. Research shows that obese people who have had bariatric surgery have a higher life expectancy compared to obese people who have not had surgery.
- Able to prevent or assist the process of treating other health problems related to obesity. Examples are type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, knee pain due to arthritis (arthritis), stomach acid disease, high cholesterol, and fatty liver.
- Able to improve the quality of life in general and improve psychological conditions. Confidence, social interactions, depressive symptoms, and anxiety disorders have been reported to improve after obesity sufferers undergo bariatric surgery.
Risk of Bariatric Operations
Even though it is effective in losing weight, bariatric surgery has a number of risks, including:
- Bleeding.
- Infection.
- The formation of emboli, which is blood clots that can be carried to certain organs, such as the brain, lungs, or heart. If not treated immediately, this condition can be life threatening.
- Leakage in the stomach or sewn intestine.
- Trouble breathing.
In the long run, people who undergo bariatric surgery are also at greater risk of experiencing:
- Lack of blood or anemia, bone loss (osteoporosis), and malnutrition.
- Food moves too fast through the small intestine, causing nausea, diarrhea, sweating, dizziness, and weakness after eating. This is especially true when consuming sweet foods.
- The formation of gallstones due to drastic weight loss in quick time.
- Hernia.
- Narrowing in the area of the stomach and intestine that is sewn, causing nausea, vomiting, and difficulty eating.
- Injury or hole in the digestive tract.
Besides having many risks, bariatric surgery can also fail to lose weight, although the possibility is small. That is the reason, it is necessary to do a thorough medical examination and careful consideration before undergoing this procedure.
In order to get optimal results with minimal side effects, make sure you follow all doctor's instructions after bariatric surgery, including eating patterns that must be lived, lifestyle changes, consumption of drugs and vitamins, and periodic control schedules.
If you experience a complaint or certain health problems after undergoing bariatric surgery, do not hesitate to immediately check yourself back in with the surgeon.
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