Bariatric Surgery – All you want to know about Weight Loss Surgery

Bariatric Surgery – All you want to know about Weight Loss Surgery

People think that Weight loss surgery is a quick-fix method to lose weight for lazy, unmotivated people. BUT the reality is totally different. Obesity and overweight is a disease just like high BP, gall-bladder stones etc. It is not the fault of the person that he/she is overweight. In fact, body weight is tightly controlled by a complex hormonal mechanism. Therefore, only small amount of weight (typically 7-10 kg) can be successfully lost by dieting and exercise. Some people are more predisposed to obesity than others, and, in the face of environmental and other triggers, gain abnormal amount of weight. When the weight gain is enormous, it starts to produce other diseases like diabetes, fatty liver, high cholesterol etc. That is the reason why obesity needs to be treated, and in a scientific manner.

Every person who is overweight does not qualify for weight loss surgery. One needs to maintain a healthy lifestyle to maintain the weight lost after bariatric surgery and also to keep losing weight in a healthy way. The advantage is that it becomes much easier to maintain a healthy lifestyle post surgery because of the effects of the surgery itself. If you or any of your loved ones are thinking about weight loss surgery then you are at the right place. Here, in this article you will learn everything about weight loss surgery and answers to the unanswered queries in your mind. Hope you all will like it.

What is Bariatric Surgery/ Weight Loss Surgery?

Bariatric Surgery or commonly known as Weight Loss Surgery is a kind of surgery which is often opted by obese people who are having hard time losing weight on their own. There are two major types of Bariatric surgeries – Sleeve Gastrectomy and Gastric Bypass

In Bariatric Surgery either the size of the stomach is reduced by removing a large part of the stomach (The stomach is the organ where food is stored after eating and where digestion begins. It also secretes the hormone responsible for hunger) or a portion of the small intestine is also bypassed in addition to reducing the size of the stomach. In short, the person feels less hungry and also feels full with small amount of food, as you have a smaller stomach.

Types of Bariatric Surgery/ Weight loss surgery

Four common types of Bariatric/ Weight loss surgery are-

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass –
Also referred as Gastric Bypass Surgery. In this surgery, the stomach is divided into 2 unequal compartments. Only one compartment is usable for food consumption. At the time of digestion, the food directly goes into the upper intestine from the stomach compartment.

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding –
In this surgery, the size of the stomach is reduced using a Gastric Band. This Band helps restricts the food intake.

Sleeve Gastrectomy –
Also referred as Gastric Sleeve. In this surgery, almost 85% of the stomach is removed leaving only about 15% stomach which is in the shape of a sleeve.

Duodenal switch with Biliopancreatic diversion-
Also referred as Biliopancreatic Diversion. This surgery is similar to Gastric bypass Surgery, but the difference is that in this procedure the length of the bypassed intestine is more resulting in even less food being absorbed.

Things to keep in mind before opting for Bariatric Surgery/ Weight loss surgery-

• Always choose a doctor and hospital with a good experience of such surgeries
• Consult the doctor and tell every medical problem you are dealing with before planning weight loss surgery
• Discuss your medical history, eating habits and medicines that doesn’t suit you with your Doctor.
• Try losing weight with the help of exercise and Diet before planning for Weight loss surgery.
• Check if your health insurance covers Weight loss surgery
• You need to eat healthy after Bariatric Surgery to get the desired nutrition from less food you would be eating. Be prepared
• On the other hand the hormonal effects of the Bariatric Surgery will automatically reduce your preference towards over-eating and eating unhealthy foods
• Talk to your family and friends before taking the step.

Now when you know what is Bariatric Surgery and the types of bariatric surgery, you must want to know if you should opt for one.

Should I go for Weight Loss Surgery?

If your answers to the below questions is a YES, then you must think for Weight Loss Surgery

• Are you not able to lose weight, after diet control and exercises?
• Is your weight issue making you depressed?
• Have you stopped meeting new people because of your weight?
• Do you hesitate going out because of your weight?
• Is it becoming hard to do your daily chores all by yourself, because of your weight?
• Are you suffering from other diseases like diabetes, fatty liver, high BP, high cholesterol, sleep apnoea (excessive snoring and choking in sleep) and knee and back pain. All these disease are directly the result of Obesity and Overweight

Here we have with us a renowned name from the field of Bariatric Surgery – Dr. Sumit Talwar to answer queries related Weight Loss Surgery

Can every obese person opt for Bariatric/ Weight loss surgery?

There are doctors, who will ask you to go ahead with Bariatric Surgery, BUT not every obese person needs to go under knife for weight loss. One must opt for Weight Management Programme before taking the decision for Bariatric Surgery. In a well-planned, weight management programme, there is a team of experts that includes, dieticians, exercise physicians and therapists who keep a track on the patient’s BMI, nutritional status and make changes accordingly. Only people with a BMI of 37.5 (or BMI of 32.5 with an obesity related disease) are candidates for surgery.

Only, the patients who even after the guidance of expert weight management team are unable to lose weight, are offered the best suited type of Weight loss surgery.

How much does the Bariatric surgery/ Weight loss surgery cost? Can I choose the doctor giving me the cheapest deal?

I would suggest to go the best available Bariatric Surgeon for the surgery. Although the bariatric surgery is not very risky, but unexperienced hands and unhygienic conditions can prove fatal.

Bariatric Surgery usually starts at about 3 lakhs. But, still the cost of the surgery completely depends on the type of Bariatric Surgery done. Other factors that affects the cost are – number of days the patient has to stay in the hospital, recovery time, patient’s response to certain medications and other such factors.

Are the effects of Bariatric surgery permanent?

It completely depends on the patient. Bariatric Surgery helps reduce a lot of weight in a short span of time, but the patient needs to follow the guidelines of the doctor to get the maximum results out and maintain these results. The results of Bariatric Surgery are generally durable for a long period of time (more than 15-20 years). In about 5% people the weight may back, but it can be managed with diet change and simple measures. If the patient keeps overeating and doesn’t maintain a healthy lifestyle, he will slowly and gradually gain weight.
P.S- Different types of bariatric surgeries give different results. But one need to maintain a healthy lifestyle to maintain results.

Does the age factor affects the efficiency of Bariatric Surgery?

With older age, the risks and complication increase a little; nevertheless surgery is beneficial for properly selected patients. Older age people already have age related problems like – limited mobility, arthritis, respiratory problems and others, which may bring uncalled issues during or after Bariatric Surgery.

Does skin sag after weight loss surgery? If yes, how to deal with sagging skin?

Skin does sag after a large amount of weight is lost although the severity varies from person to person. Since the weight loss is gradual, the body compensates to a large extent. The problem is more in older people and those who lose a large amount of weight.

Is bariatric surgery reversible?

There are different types of bariatric surgeries. Gastric band surgery and mini gastric bypass are reversible. However reversal is only done if medically necessary.

Will bariatric surgery help me lose weight from other parts of my body other than just my stomach?

Yes, in fact bariatric surgery results in natural weight loss from all over the body and not only on the abdomen.

We have tried to get the answers to many questions with the help of Dr. Sumit Talwar – Bariatric Surgeon but in case we forgot to answer the question that is still bugging your mind. Please feel free to drop your questions and we can get back with the answers, so you can easily take the decision, if you should or should not go for Bariatric Surgery/ Weight loss Surgery.