What is Bariatric Surgery? | SHL

Bariatric surgery is also known as weight loss surgery, which includes gastric bypass and other weight loss treatments that involve making adjustments to your digestive system to help you lose weight.

If diet and exercise haven't worked, or if you have serious health problems because of your weight, you may need bariatric surgery.

You may be limited in the amount that you can consume due to some operations. Other methods work by inhibiting the body's ability to absorb nutrients. Some methods combine both.

In this article, Dr. Harsh Seth, who is known for weight loss surgeries in Mumbai, said that while bariatric surgeries have many benefits, all weight loss surgeries are major procedures with significant risks and negative effects.

To ensure the long-term effectiveness of bariatric surgery, you must also make permanent healthy diet changes and exercise regularly.

Why is it done that way?

Bariatric surgery is done to help you lose weight and to minimize the chance of developing potentially fatal weight-related health conditions, such as:

• Stroke and heart disease
• Too high blood pressure
• NAFLD, also known as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, is a form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NASH).
• Apnea (sleep deprivation)
• Type 2 diabetes

Usually bariatric surgery is done after you've tried to lose weight by improving your diet and exercise routines.

For whom is that?

In general, bariatric surgery can be an option for you if you meet the following criteria:

According to Dr. Harsh Seth, if you have a BMI of 40 or higher, you are overweight (extreme obesity). If your BMI is 35 to 39.9 (obesity) you have serious weight-related health problems such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or severe sleep apnea.

If your BMI is 30 to 34 and you have serious weight-related health concerns, you may be eligible for some form of weight loss.

Not everyone who is excessively overweight is a candidate for bariatric surgery. To be eligible for weight loss surgery, you may need to meet certain medical requirements.

To see if you qualify, you will likely have to go through a lengthy screening process. To live a healthier lifestyle, you also need to be willing to make long-term adjustments.

Long-term follow-up plans, which may include monitoring of your diet, lifestyle and behavior, and medical issues, may be required of you.

What are the risks involved?

As with any major procedure, bariatric surgery carries the risk of health complications.

Listed below are some of the risks associated with the surgical procedure:

• Much blood
• infection
• Side effects caused by anesthesia
• Lumps in the blood
• Difficulty breathing or lungs
• Your gastrointestinal system is leaking.

How do you get ready

If you are a candidate for bariatric surgery, your doctor will provide you with information on how to prepare for the procedure. Various laboratory tests and exams may need to be done before surgery, says Dr. Harsh Seth, a bariatric and laparoscopic surgeon.

You may be restricted in what you can eat and drink and what medication you can take. You may be forced to start an exercise program and quit smoking.

You may also need to plan your rehabilitation after surgery. If you suspect you will need help at home, make arrangements for it.

What could you expect?

The bariatric surgery is performed under general anesthesia in a hospital. This indicates that you will be unconscious throughout the process.

The specifics of your surgery will be determined by your circumstances, the type of weight loss surgery you choose, and the guidelines of the hospital or doctor. Some weight loss surgeries require traditional large or open abdominal incisions.

Most bariatric operations today are performed laparoscopically. A laparoscope is a tiny tube that has a camera attached to it. The laparoscope is inserted through tiny incisions in the abdomen.

Thanks to the tiny camera on the tip of the laparoscope, the surgeon can see inside your abdomen and operate without making larger incisions. Although laparoscopic surgery can speed up and reduce your recovery time, it is not for everyone.

The operation usually takes several hours. After the operation you will wake up in a recovery room, where the medical staff will keep an eye on you in case of any problems. Depending on your surgery, you may need to stay in the hospital for a few days.

Results:

Dr. Harsh Seth says that long-term weight loss is possible with gastric bypass and other bariatric surgeries. How much weight you lose depends on the type of surgery and lifestyle changes. In two years, you can lose half, if not more, of your extra weight.

In addition to weight loss, gastric bypass surgery can help alleviate or resolve several problems commonly associated with obesity, such as:

• Coronary heart disease
• Too high blood pressure
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
• Type 2 diabetes
• NAFLD, also known as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, is a form of non-alcoholic fatty liver (NASH)
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a form of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD).
• Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that affects the joints (joint pain)
• Gastric bypass surgery can also help you do everyday activities more easily, which can improve your quality of life

About the author:

Murshid Paravath is a passionate health blogger. Likes to write on any health-related topic that affects different parts of the body and to speak to her readers about the care that needs to be taken in today's world.