Thursday, July 18, 2013

Facts On Weight Reduction Surgery

By Kathy Kaufman


Weight reduction surgery or bariatric surgery describes a series of surgical procedures that are performed on obese persons. In the process the stomach is reduced in size by removing a portion. This is achieved by use of what is referred to as sleeve gastrectomy or a simple gastric band. Another option involves the resection and diversion of the small gut to the stomach. Such a procedure is very beneficial to persons that have underlying medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. It reduces the risk of complications in these persons.

The bariatric procedure is recommended for persons that have a minimum BMI of 40. It is also helpful in persons that have medical conditions that are exacerbated by excess weight. It is important to emphasize that this option should only be considered when all the conservative options have failed.

Pros and cons of such a procedure should be taken into account before the procedure is done. Certain post-operative complications such as gall bladder disease and malabsorption may arise. Psychiatric screening should also be done as there is possibility of patients falling in to depression after the operation.

Surgical procedures are grouped in to three main categories. These are malabsorptive, restrictive or mixed. The most commonly performed is the malabsorptive procedure. Malabsorptive operations aim at creating a physiological state of malabsorption. Biliopancreatic diversion combined with duodenal switch (BDS/DS) is one such undertaking. A section of the stomach is resected, creating a smaller pouch which is then directly connected to the ileum, bypassing the duodenum and jejunum. The malabsorption that results can be severe enough to cause serious deficiency diseases such as osteoporosis and anemia unless vitamins and mineral supplements are administered.

The restrictive procedure is one that minimizes eating by restricting the stomach volume. Persons that have undergone this type often get satisfied earlier than normal. Vertical banded gastroplasty is one of the procedures that can be used here. It involves the permanent placement of staples on the stomach in a manner that results in the creation of a smaller pouch. It is the safest.

In sleeve gastrectomy, the stomach is reduced to 85% its original size. A huge portion of the stomach following the greater curvature is removed. This makes the stomach look more like a tube or shaped like a banana. It is a permanent procedure done under laparoscopy. Although the volume of the stomach is reduced, it still works normally and the patient can be able to take in small amounts of food at a time.

There is a need to make dietary changes after operation. The food types that should be taken include liquids such as broth, juices and sugar-free gelatin desserts. These should be maintained until full recovery of the gut takes place. As one recovers, the next foods to be introduced include blended substances that should also be sugar free.

As with any surgical procedure, there are a number of side effects associated with weight reduction surgery. Persons that have had this operation frequently have difficulties absorbing calcium. As a result, they often get various forms of metabolic bone disease of which osteopenia and secondary hyperparathyroidism are clinical features. The fact that loss of weight has occurred suddenly predisposes these individuals to gall stone formation. Other complications include reduced absorption of essential nutrients such as folate, iron, vitamin B12 and thiamine.




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