Obesity is a huge problem facing a lot of people. This is mainly due to the popularization and affordability of junk food. Some people may be obese due to their genetics. This, however, should not be a deterrent to losing weight and attaining the ideal body mass index for a healthy lifestyle. There are a lot of solutions available, with the most widespread being exercise. However, exercise may be a rather tricky means of attaining weight loss due to the high level of discipline required. At Peachtree Surgical and Bariatrics, there are a variety of weight loss solutions available for you. Read on to realize more about bariatrics.
What are Bariatrics?
Bariatric surgery involves the application of gastric bypass and other weight-loss surgeries to lose weight by making changes to your digestive system. It is usually performed when exercise and diet are not working or when your weight is causing you serious health problems. Some procedures reduce the ability of the body to absorb nutrients, while others limit how much you can eat. Some do both.
Bariatric surgery is a major procedure, thus is severe enough to warrant permanent changes to your diet. Regular exercise is also required to ensure the long-term success of the surgery.
Bariatric surgery is done to reduce potential life-threatening obese-related problems such as:
- Sleep apnea
- Stroke
- Heart disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
- High blood pressure
- Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
The surgery is usually a final option after exercise and diet have failed. It should be an option if:
- Your body mass index is either 40 or higher, indicating extreme obesity
- Your body mass index is between 35 and 40, and you have serious weight-related problems. Some cases of body mass index ranging from 30-34 with concerning weight-related problems may warrant surgery
There are specific medical guidelines required to qualify for the surgery after an extensive screening process. Bariatric surgery is a major surgery that is expensive and may be associated with risks such as:
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Excessive bleeding
- Breathing problems
Bariatric surgery preparation involves several lab tests and exams before surgery. There may also be restrictions on the kind of food you eat and drink and which medications you can take.
Types of Bariatric Surgery
The common types of bariatric surgery include:
- Sleeve gastrectomy: In this procedure, most of your stomach is removed, leaving a long, tube-like pouch. The smaller stomach produces less ghrelin hormone necessary for appetite and reduces the food capacity that can be held.
- Roux-en-Y gastric bypass- The doctor seals off part of your stomach, leaving only space for an ounce of food. This decreases the food amount you can take in one sitting and reduces nutrient absorption.
- Biliopancreatic diversion combined with duodenal switch: This is a sleeve gastrectomy combined with an operation to connect the end part of your small intestine with the duodenum.
Bariatric surgery is major surgery and thus a decision that needs careful evaluation. Serious discussions with your doctors should be done before making the eventual decision. For more about bariatric surgery, visit our website or call our offices in Buckhead, Atlanta, GA.
