Important Facts On Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery

By Sarah Johnson


There are numerous methods that can be used in losing weight by New York residents. The most widely used are dietary changes and engagement in physical exercise. While these are effective and safe in most people, they tend to take quite long. They may not be appropriate for a person that intends to shed off extra pounds for a special occasion within a short period of time. Bariatric weight loss surgery is an option in this case.

Bariatric operations are also called restrictive surgeries. This term is sometimes used because of the reduction in stomach capacity that is created by the surgeries. The amount of food that can be held by the stomach in any one sitting is considerably reduced and this translates to reduced absorption of nutrients. The few calories obtained from the food are mainly used for the provision of energy with very little going to storage as fat.

The two main forms of bariatric operations are gastric banding and sleeve gastrectomy. Although the two are slightly different in the manner in which they are performed, the results are more or less the same. The main difference is that banding is a reversible procedure while gastrectomy is not. The major similarity is that both reduce the size of the stomach.

Gastric banding is performed by placing a silicon based band on the stomach upper portion (also known as fundus). This is achieved through minimal surgical access using an instrument known as a laparoscope. The incisions made are quite small hence there is rarely any need to worry about excessive bleeding or unsightly scars later on. The lower stomach portion forms a small pouch whose capacity is about an ounce of food.

A long plastic tube connects the band to an accessible area under the skin. The role of the tube is to help regulate the compression exerted on the stomach by the tube which effectively increases or reduces its size. This is achieved by injecting or withdrawing a small amount of water (or saline) from the tube. When the saline is injected the size reduces, and when it is withdrawn the compression reduces and the stomach size increases.

One may suffer from a number of side effects after undergoing this surgery. They include nausea, vomiting, aversion to food, minor bleeding and infections. One of the interventions that can be used to reduce the incidence of nausea and vomiting is through reducing the compression by the band so that the stomach size is slightly increased. Readjustments can then be done slowly until the desired size is attained.

Sleeve gastrectomy involves surgical resection of the stomach with the aim of reducing its size. After the operation only 20 to 25% is left. The structure that is left is more tubular which reduces the transit time of food. Reduced absorption of nutrients, therefore, occurs due to two main reasons: the increased transit time and the reduced intake of food. Side effects here are similar to those of banding.

Recovering from the operation takes just a few weeks. One can resume their regular diet after about two weeks. The results vary from one person to another due to a number of factors. These include the surgical technique used, the magnitude of the problem, complications and so on. To increase the chances of success, you will be well advised to adopt a change in lifestyle as well.




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