Bariatric Surgery

This is the clinical term for surgery that involves restricting food intake, this is nearly always confined to patients classified as obese – usually morbidly obese - and at high risk of weight-related disease or have an increased risk of morbidity.

Requirements

You can be considered for weight-loss surgery if you are morbidly obese, or if you have a BMI between 35 and 40 and have a risk factor for an obesity-related disease.

Different types of bariatric surgery

Gastric Banding

Gastric banding or 'lap banding' limits the capacity of the stomach so you feel full after eating a small amount of food.

An inflatable band is tied around the top part of the stomach, using keyhole surgery techniques. A small pouch is created at the top of the stomach, limiting the amount of food the stomach can hold

Food that collects in the pouch then passes slowly into the lower part of the stomach and then continues into the digestive system.

The gastric banding operation is fully reversible.

Gastric Bypass

This surgery is permanent.

 A gastric bypass is surgery on the stomach to reduce the length of the digestive tract and stop food being absorbed.

 Like in the gastric banding surgery, a small pouch is created at the top of the stomach. A portion of the intestine is then grafted to the top of this pouch, resulting in food bypassing the stomach and a large part of the intestine. This prevents it from being digested.

Gastric Balloon Insertion

A gastric balloon insertion is a less permanent type of surgery.

A small balloon is placed at the end of a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope. This tube is then inserted into the stomach via the mouth.

The balloon is then inflated by having liquid, or air, pumped into it. The balloon is inflated until it partially fills the stomach, creating a false feeling of being full, or almost full.

The balloon is usually removed after six months.

Complications with Bariatric Surgery

1.        Long-term digestive problems such as:

·           nausea

·          heartburn

·          vomiting

·          diarrhoea

·          the usual complications associated with any form of surgery

2.    The body absorbs less food after surgery, but it will also absorb less vitamins and nutrients. This places a patient at greater risk of diseases caused by vitamin and mineral deficiency such as anaemia and osteoporosis.

Conclusion

Obesity is not something that can be cured or brought under clinical control within a few weeks or months. These forms of bariatric surgery will only be offered when necessary and in extreme cases, although private medical clinics are less likely to refuse a patients request when there is a clear financial reward.

Continued treatment, such as diet and exercise, may need to continue for years, long after the surgical procedure was performed.

Bariatric surgery should be considered a last ditch option. If you are interested in finding out more about bariatric surgery, you should consult with your physician.