What is Bariatric Surgery?

It is a therapeutic as well as a weight loss procedure, performed surgically and it has 3 types: Gastric Banding, Gastric Bypass and Gastric Sleeve. Many people simply cannot loose weight or maintain it with proper diet and exercise. Bariatric Surgery helps people who have difficulty losing weight by traditional methods.

• Bariatric surgery is known to be the most effective treatment for morbid obesity and for people with a body mass index over 40.
• Each of the three types is suitable for different criterion and purposes:

Gastric Sleeve

Gastric sleeve surgery involves permanently removing a large portion of the stomach, anywhere from 60% to 85% of the total stomach. The portion left behind is a slim tube or "sleeve" that will serve as your new stomach. It achieves weight loss results by restricting the amount of food that your body is physically able to take in.

It is different from other surgical procedures as it preserves the nerves to the stomach and its outlet (pylorus) thus maintaining the functions of the stomach while at the same time reducing its volume.

It also works because it removes a part of the stomach producing Ghrelin, which is a hormone that stimulates appetite.

Disadvantages

As with any medical procedure of this nature, there is always the potential for adverse affects. The biggest potential drawback for some people with this procedure is that is irreversible.

• Since the gastric sleeve is a restrictive weight loss procedure inadequate weight loss or weight regain is more likely to occur.
• The newly created pouch has the potential to stretch over time.
• Weight Loss only really noticeable with total change in diet combined with exercise.
• Leakage may occur at the site of stapling.

Gastric Bypass

Gastric bypass surgery is used to treat morbid obesity which is defined as having a Body Mass Index greater than 40. Gastric bypass is a weight loss surgery that involves both restrictive and malabsorptive (decreasing absorption) technique to achieve weight loss.

• It consists of the creation of a smaller thumb-sized pouch derived from the upper stomach, while at the same time bypassing the remaining larger portion of the stomach. This restricts the quantity of food that can be eaten and in turn lowers the possible caloric intake.
• The second basic component of gastric bypass surgery is the reconstruction of the GI tract which allows the newly partitioned stomach segments to drain properly. The method used in this reconstruction can differ in the lengths of small bowel used, the degree to which food absorption is affected, and the likelihood of adverse nutritional effects.

Advantages

Typically most people will lose about 10 to 20 pounds in the first month after the surgery. Weight loss will continue but decrease over time. The people who see the best results are those who adhere to a strict diet and exercise routine, which is essential to keeping the weight off long term. In addition the following are benefits one can expect from gastric bypass surgery:

• Increased weight loss due to being a restrictive and malabsorptive surgery
• Verified long term success

Gastric bypass surgery not only has the obvious benefit of helping shed weight, but it can help improve a variety of medical conditions that are related to obesity, like:

• Type 2 Diabetes
• High Cholesterol
• High Blood Pressure
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Sleep Apnea
• Hypertension
• Joint Pain
• Asthma

Disadvantages

• Complex operation comes with risks including infection and bleeding
• "Dumping Syndrome" (Ingested food passes too rapidly to the intestines largely undigested) is associated with this procedure.
• Potential for vitamin and nutrient deficiency due to malabsorptive component of this surgery.

Gastric Banding

Gastric banding, or laparoscopic adjustable banding is a bariatric surgery procedure that uses an adjustable belt placed around the upper portion of the stomach. This band is made out of silicone and is designed to constrict the size of the stomach and the amount of food that can be held in the stomach. At the same time, it slows down the passage of food to the intestines which helps signal to the brain that the stomach is full. The band is filled with saline which can be increased or decreased based upon your needs and your doctors recommendations. A small port is accessed near the surface of the skin that your doctor can then add or remove saline through. Adding saline tightens the band and shrinks the size of the stomach pouch that can accept food. This should make you feel fuller, quicker and decrease the appetite and as a result help you lose weight.