What is Obesity Surgery?
Surgical intervention in the digestive system is called “obesity surgery” or “bariatric surgery” to help patients who are found to be obese by measuring their body mass index or fat in the body.
Who are the most suitable candidates?
First of all, one should have obesity complaints that have been going on for at least three years, no chronic alcohol and drug addiction and should be within the limits of acceptable surgery. A patient undergoing obesity surgery should not have an active psychiatric disease. Although there is no age limit, surgery can be performed more safely between the ages of 20-60. Surgery should be considered as a last resort for weight loss. Obesity surgery should be done when people who cannot lose weight without a hormonal condition, fail in other treatment methods or gain weight again, when their health begins to deteriorate.
How does obesity surgery surgery work?
Surgical methods in the treatment of obesity can be classified mainly as methods that reduce food intake, limit the absorption of nutrients or provide both. In restrictive surgeries, the volume of the stomach is reduced; the amount of food entering the stomach and the amount of food a person eats is reduced. In operations that reduce absorption, some of the intestines are bypassed to reduce nutrient absorption. Depending on the type of surgery performed, the daily food amount taken and the absorption rate of the food taken in the intestine decreases. Thus, the patient quickly loses weight. However, in order for obesity surgery to have a definite and permanent effect on weight loss, one should be aware that the person has undergone an important operation and continue his nutrition and exercises after surgery.
Which surgery is performed most often?
The two most common surgeries performed in obesity surgery today are gastric bypass (gastric bypass) and sleeve gastrectomy (tube stomach). These surgeries can be done laparoscopically through small holes. With this method, less painful and safe surgery can be performed with smaller incisions. In gastric bypass surgery, the stomach volume is reduced first and the amount of food that the patient can receive is reduced. In addition, some of the small intestines are bypassed. The absorption of nutrients decreases as the path traveled by food gets shorter in the small intestine. This surgical technique should be preferred more in patients with a high-calorie diet. Because this type of patients have the habit of eating with small amounts but high calorie foods.
What is done in tube stomach surgery?
It may not be possible to achieve sufficient weight loss with operations that only reduce food intake. In Sleeve Gastrectomy (Tube Stomach) surgery, a stomach tube is created by cutting the large edge of the stomach. With this technique, the feeling of satiety occurs due to the decrease in the amount of food taken as the volume of the stomach decreases and the decrease in the level of ‘Ghrelin’ secreted from the removed stomach section and defined as the hunger hormone. Thus, the patients can lose weight quickly by maintaining the integrity of the normal digestive system.
Is gastric bypass surgery applied the most in the world?
Gastric bypass surgery was the most frequently used surgical technique in the United States until recently. However, tube stomach surgery is the most frequently used surgery both in the world and in our country because it is easier and similar results are obtained with bypass surgery.
Does the surgery take a long time?
The duration of the operation may differ depending on the type of surgery performed, the degree of obesity of the patient and the experience and experience of the surgical team. Tube stomach operations usually take 60-90 minutes. In addition, it takes 20-25 minutes to prepare the patient for surgery and to wake the patient up to 20-25 minutes after the operation. This period may be a little longer in gastric bypass surgery.
How long and how much weight is lost after obesity surgery?
The expected weight loss at the end of two years in laparoscopic gastric bypass surgeries is about 70 percent, and in sleeve gastrectomy surgery is approximately 60 percent, and the compliance of the patient in the total weight given is very important. Success in weight loss is directly proportional to the patient’s compliance with the post-operative diet and exercise program.
When is it possible to return to work after surgery?
After obesity surgeries, we generally recommend 15 days of home rest to our patients. If the patient is working at the desk, he can return to work after 15 days. It is recommended to wait about 30 days for jobs that require intense physical activity and to start sports.
Is there a risk of gaining weight again?
Weight loss continues for approximately 1.5-2 years after obesity surgeries. In some cases, patients can lose their excess weight in a short period of one year before this process is completed. The most important factors for maintaining a healthy weight and maintaining the ideal weight after obedience are balanced nutrition and exercise. In the long run, however, actual success depends on how much you follow all the recommended rules. It is important to change the old eating habits, to get healthy and balanced eating habits, to exercise regularly, not to disrupt post-operative controls, to keep motivation and, if necessary, to gain psychological support.
What is the risk of these surgeries?
Obesity surgery carries certain risks like all other serious surgical interventions. Standard risk factors are the general health of the patient, the technical facilities of the hospital, and the experience of the surgical team. The most common risks of obesity surgeries are bleeding, anastomosis leaks (staple line leak), iron, calcium, vitamin D and B12 deficiencies, nutritional disorders and gallstones. After all laparoscopic obesity surgeries, it is possible to return to open surgery and sagging in certain parts of the body.