Important Facts On Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery

By Sarah Johnson


Lifestyle changes are the most widely recommended options for weight loss in New York. The major advantage that these methods have over other options are that they are cheap and devoid of side effects. The main downside is that it takes a considerable amount of time before their beneficial effects are evident. Bariatric weight loss surgery is usually the most effective approach if one intends to lose a significant proportion of their weight in a short period of time.

Bariatric surgical operations are also known as restrictive operations. This is because they generally work by limiting the amount of food that the stomach can hold at any given point in time. Less nutrients are delivered to the body tissues. Most of these nutrients are used in the provision of energy with very few calories ending up as stored fat. The end result is rapid loss of weight.

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 usually performed using a laparoscope. It involves the placement of a band (silicon-based) to the upper stomach region so as to cause compression. The lower portion is converted into a small pouch that can hold an ounce of food or less. Laparoscopy makes it possible to conduct the operation through small incisions which leads to fewer complications and less prominent scars.

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 When the saline is injected the size reduces, and when it is withdrawn the compression reduces and the stomach size increases.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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