| Bariatric Surgery / Obesity Surgery |
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| Written by Administrator |
| Thursday, 29 January 2009 15:55 |
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In simple terms, bariatrics concerns the causes, prevention and treatment of severe overweight, a condition known as obesity. How Does Bariatric Surgery Affect The Digestive Process? Before Surgery Food is chewed, then swallowed, passing through the esophagus to the stomach, where stomach acids dissolve it into smaller particles. The liquid then passes into the small intestine where enzymes and bile continue the digestive process. The first section is the duodenum. Here, calcium, iron and a few vitamins are absorbed. The second and third sections are the jejunum and ileum, both about ten feet in length. Here, the bulk of food nutrients (vitamins and minerals) and calories are absorbed. After Surgery During both main types of obesity surgery, the size of the stomach is reduced by up to 90 percent, to the size of an egg or even the size of a thumb. This stomach reduction drastically reduces the quantity of food which can be consumed in one sitting and speeds up satiety. During bypass surgery, the digestive tract below the stomach is also altered. After leaving the small stomach pouch, food is re-routed to bypass most of the duodenum and is directed into the final part of the jejunum. Because the food passes along a much reduced length of small intestine, and comes into contact with smaller amounts of digestive enzymes Is Bariatric Surgery An Easy Solution for Weight Loss? No. It is a drastic step Does Bariatric Surgery Involve New Eating Habits? Yes. All types of gastrointestinal obesity surgery compel patients to change their eating habits radically, and make them very ill if they overeat. And after bariatric surgery is performed, patients remain at a lifelong risk of nutritional deficiencies. Does Bariatric Surgery Typically Lead to Major Weight Loss? Yes and No. Some patients lose more than 100 pounds in weight - some lose as much as 200 pounds weight. Some patients reach a normal weight, while others remain overweight, although less overweight than before. However, in order to maintain this type of weight reduction, patients must follow carefully the post-operative guidelines relating to diet and exercise. Who Is A Candidate for Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery? Bariatric surgery is a last-gasp treatment solution for obesity, to be used when conventional weight loss programs have been tried and failed, candidates must have severe obesity-related health problems. • Typically, to qualify for bariatric surgery you must be 'morbidly obese', which usually means being overweight by 100 pounds (man) or 80 pounds (woman) with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40+. • Alternatively, bariatric surgery may be appropriate if you are 80 pounds overweight (BMI 35+) and have a serious obesity-related condition like type 2 diabetes or life-threatening cardio-pulmonary problems such as severe sleep apnea or obesity-related heart disease. Is Hospitalization Necessary Before Undergoing Bariatric Surgery? Patients may need to be hospitalized before undergoing weight loss surgery in order to lower the health risks of surgery. Is Obesity Surgery Dangerous? Yes. Both types of bariatric surgery involve major operations lasting one to two hours (longer if performed laparoscopically) and patients typically need three to five nights in hospital. The first night following the operation is usually spent in a high dependency unit or intensive care environment. (Note: After laparoscopic bariatric surgery, patients typically remain in hospital for 2-3 days, rather than the 4-5 days after open surgery. Patients typically return to work after 2-3 weeks, compared to 4-6 weeks after open surgery.) Health risk varies according to patient condition. In general, bariatric surgeries carry all the possible health risks of any major medical operation. Do Bariatric Patients Regularly Suffer From Health Complications? It depends upon patient-condition, the complexity of the specific procedure. Research suggests that 4 out of 10 patients suffer complications within six months of surgery. Up to 20 percent required re-hospitalization to treat specific problems relating to their stomach bypass or gastric banding procedure. The recommended post-operative diet regime requires an immediate and drastic change of eating habits. Gastric bypass also necessitates nutritional supplementation for life. Are The Health Risks Of Bariatric Surgery Greater Than The Risks Of Obesity? For most patients suffering from morbid obesity (BMI 40+), super-obesity (50+) or end stage obesity syndrome (BMI 60+), the big question is, do the benefits of bariatric surgery outweigh its risks? The answer is Yes. Severe obesity is a chronic, frequently progressive, life threatening disease, and the known health risks associated with morbid obesity far outweigh the risks associated with surgery. Published studies indicate that someone who is 100 percent above his/her ideal weight has a risk of mortality ten times higher that of a person of normal weight. By comparison, the mortality rate for both vertical banded gastroplasty, adjustable gastric banding and roux-en-y gastric bypass is less than one percent. Morbidity (ie. rate of disease) in the immediate post-operative period is roughly ten percent or more, although the combined risk of the most serious complications is less than three percent. In the later postoperative period, other health complications can and do arise, and may require corrective surgical treatment. Also, some patients are unable to comply with post-operative eating and exercise guidelines over the long term. But in general the overriding health benefit of bariatric treatment is now well established. How Important Is Patient Attitude For The Success Of Bariatric Surgery? Very important! The higher the motivation of patients to lose weight and manage the post-operative requirements of dietary modification and behavioral therapy, the more successful surgery is likely to be, in solving their obesity and weight problems. The pre-op screening process adopted by obesity clinics to identify good candidates for bariatric surgery, is strongly influenced by patient attitude. What Is The Cost of Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery? Depending on the experience of the surgeon, the medical team, the surgical procedure and the level of post-op services chosen. Is Bariatric Surgery Covered By Health Insurance? Health insurers are slowly beginning to accept that obesity surgery can deliver powerful medical benefits that will save them money in the long run. Health insurance company in order to receive authorization for weight loss surgery (a) Patient's weight, (b) List of obesity-related medical, (c) How long patient has been overweight, (d) History of failed weight-loss programs, with details of type of program Are Cosmetic or Plastic Surgery Operations Covered By Health Insurance? No. Post-op plastic surgery procedures to remove loose skin caused by massive weight loss, are deemed to be 'cosmetic' rather than health related operations. As a result they are not usually covered by medical insurance plans. What Do Doctors Think About Surgical Treatment For Obesity? The panel also stated the necessity for patients to receive multidisciplinary care by a team of doctors and therapists, to handle their weight-related co-morbidities, and emotional needs (1) Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for severe clinical obesity. (2) Stomach bypass is one of four types of surgical treatment for morbid obesity. (3) Laparoscopic surgery is as effective and as safe as traditional open surgery. (4) Bariatric patients should receive comprehensive pre-op assessment, and multi-disciplinary post-op support, in order to achieve the best weight loss results. Should You Have Bariatric Surgery? The health dangers of severe obesity are well documented. Statistics show that severely obese patients have little chance of losing weight using conventional diets. This does not mean that bariatric surgery is a guaranteed solution for their attitude to food and exercise, typically achieve much better results. Inform Yourself About Bariatric Surgery Do not believe everything you read about bariatric surgery. Before taking any decisions, talk with patients who have undergone this form of weight loss surgery. Find out about the problems, issues and health risks involved. Listen carefully to the advice offered by your obesity clinic |
| Last Updated on Wednesday, 25 February 2009 17:46 |