Basic Facts Regarding Weight Reduction Surgery

By Kathy Kaufman


Weight reduction surgery is stepwise procedure that is done to correct obesity in persons that are struggling with excess weight. It is also termed bariatric surgery. During the procedure, it is often necessary to reduce the size of the stomach as well through a number of techniques. This may be done either by use of sleeve gastrectomy or by use of a special gastric band. The former cuts off some portion whereas the latter only shrinks the volume. The bariatric procedure greatly benefits people struggling with conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.

The bariatric procedure is recommended for persons that have a minimum BMI of 40. It is also helpful in persons that have medical conditions that are exacerbated by excess weight. It is important to emphasize that this option should only be considered when all the conservative options have failed.

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.

There are three surgical options that one may choose from. The common thing about them is that they are aimed at minimizing the recurrence of obesity and to encourage loss of weight. These are broadly classified into malabsorptive, restrictive and mixed type. In the malabsorptive procedure, the aim is to encourage malabsorption of some components in food. Such a procedure includes, for example, what is known as billiopancreatic diversion that is usually accompanied with a duodenal stitch (BDS/DS). The main downside is that some essential nutrients may not be absorbed and this often results in metabolic diseases.

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 restrictive technique is known as sleeve gastrectomy. In the hands of a skilled surgeon, up to 15% of the original size of the stomach can be successfully removed. The greatest portion is taken from the greater curvature. The stomach shape is transformed into more of a tube. In advanced centers, laparoscopes are used so as to improve on the accuracy.

The diet of the patient after surgery becomes restricted to liquid foods such as broth, fruit juice and gelatin desserts that are sugar free. This kind of diet is maintained until the alimentary canal recovers from the surgery. The next diet is composed of blended substances which are sugar free, consisting of foods such as cream soup, skimmed milk, protein drinks among others.

Adverse effects of weight reduction surgery are common. Due to reduced calcium absorption, patients can develop metabolic bone disease in form of secondary hyperparathyroidism and osteopenia. Rapid weight loss can also result in gallstones. In addition, reduced absorption of nutrients such as thiamine, folate, iron and vitamin B12 can lead to nutritional derangements. Defective renal handling has also been reported.




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