Basic Information On Weight Reduction Surgery

By Kathy Kaufman


Weight reduction surgery, also called bariatric surgery refers to a series of procedures carried out on overweight people.

The size of the stomach is either reduced or a portion of it removed.

This is possible either through use of a gastric band or sleeve gastrectomy respectively.

Gastric bypass can also be done by resecting and diverting the small intestine to the stomach.

Research has shown that this procedure helps in improving the condition of diabetic patients and reducing the risk of cardiovascular risks.

Bariatric surgery is most helpful in persons that have a body mass index, BMI, of more than 40.

It is also recommended for those that have medical conditions that are likely to be worsened by obesity.

 These include among others, glucose intolerance, hyperlipidaemia and diabetes. Surgical options are reserved for cases that are unresponsive to medical therapy.

Pros and cons of such a procedure should be taken into account before the procedure is done.

Certain post-operative complications such as gall bladder disease and malabsorption may arise. Psychiatric screening should also be done as there is possibility of patients falling in to depression after the operation.

Surgical procedures are grouped in to three main categories.

These are malabsorptive, restrictive or mixed.

The most commonly performed is the malabsorptive procedure.

Malabsorptive operations aim at creating a physiological state of malabsorption.

Biliopancreatic diversion combined with duodenal switch (BDS/DS) is one such undertaking.

A section of the stomach is resected, creating a smaller pouch which is then directly connected to the ileum, bypassing the duodenum and jejunum.

The malabsorption that results can be severe enough to cause serious deficiency diseases such as osteoporosis and anemia unless vitamins and mineral supplements are administered.

Predominantly restrictive procedures aim at minimizing oral intake by restricting gastric volume.

This produces early food satisfaction.

Vertical banded gastroplasty involves permanent stapling of the stomach to create a small stomach to handle the food.

 It is regarded as one of the safest operations carried out today.

Another effective technique that is restrictive in nature is what is referred to as sleeve gastrectomy. As much as 15% of the stomach can be resected by use of this technique.

 Most of this portion is taken from the greater curvature.

This technique transforms it into a tubular shape.

Laparoscopes are often used to improve on the accuracy.

In the immediate post-operation period, one should only take liquid foods such as fruit juices and broth and gelatin desserts which are sugar-free.

One should eat these foods until the gut fully recovers from the operation.

Other diets to be introduced slowly include skimmed milk, cream soup, protein drinks and blended foods.

As with any surgical procedure, there are a number of side effects associated with weight reduction surgery.

Persons that have had this operation frequently have difficulties absorbing calcium.

 As a result, they often get various forms of metabolic bone disease of which osteopenia and secondary hyperparathyroidism are clinical features.

The fact that loss of weight has occurred suddenly predisposes these individuals to gall stone formation.

Other complications include reduced absorption of essential nutrients such as folate, iron, vitamin B12 and thiamine.




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