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Obesity surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, offers solutions for those with chronic weight problems. This surgical approach is based on helping patients lose weight long-term and improve their overall health. Discover the effectiveness and benefits of bariatric surgery to achieve permanent weight loss.
Obesity surgery can provide permanent weight loss in those who have tried other weight loss methods and have not been successful. Bariatric procedures change the anatomy of the digestive system, thereby reducing the amount of food the stomach can hold. As a result, the way the body absorbs nutrients changes, and long-term weight loss is achieved.
In this article, we will focus on obesity surgery. In the first part, you can read about types of abdominal operations such as gastric bypass surgery, gastric sleeve surgery, and gastric balloon surgery. In the following parts, we will talk about the role of diet and lifestyle changes after abdominal operations and the long-term effects and expected weight loss results.
Introduction to Obesity Surgery
In modern-day society, especially in developed countries, individuals are offered more calories than they need and calories are usually received "fast". If you add that information other factors like working long office hours and having no time for exercising, you may face the risk of obesity.
Gastric bypass and other weight loss surgeries, known as obesity surgeries or bariatric surgeries, aim at permanent weight loss by making changes in the patient's digestive system. Obesity surgery is done when diet and exercise don't work, or when you have serious health problems because of your weight.
It should not be forgotten that obesity surgery is an important procedure that can create serious risks and side effects in addition to its many benefits. To ensure the long-term success of obesity surgery, you should start a healthy diet and do regular exercises. In short, obesity surgery should be seen as only the beginning, the first step of a lifestyle change.
Understanding Obesity and Its Health Implications
Obesity, characterized by excessive body fat accumulation, is considered one of the leading health problems in every country. Beyond its impact on physical appearance, obesity carries risks:
Obesity and chronic diseases: Obesity can cause chronic conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, stroke, and certain types of cancer. In addition, obesity puts extra strain on the cardiovascular system, increasing risks such as heart attack and heart failure.
Quality of life and functional limitations: Obesity leads to functional limitations that affect daily activities. Excess weight causes joint pain and reduced mobility.
Effect on mental health: Obesity has negative effects on mental health as well as physical harm. Individuals with obesity have complaints such as low self-esteem, body image dissatisfaction, and depression. Social stigma and discrimination reduce their quality of life.
Pregnancy complications: Obesity causes many problems during pregnancy and increases the risk of cesarean delivery.
Types of Abdominal Operations for Weight Loss
There are several types of abdominal operations for weight loss. If you consider obesity surgery, you should visit regularly your surgeon before the operation. They will decide by considering different factors, which type is the most suitable for you
Gastric bypass: This procedure targets weight loss by reducing the amount of food you can eat in one sitting and the absorption of nutrients.
Sleeve gastrectomy: In this procedure about 80% of the stomach is removed, leaving a long, tube-like sac. Benefits of the operation include significant weight loss and no bowel rerouting.
Duodenal switch: This is a two-part surgery where the first step involves performing a procedure similar to sleeve gastrectomy. The second surgery involves connecting the end of the intestine to the duodenum near the stomach. It is highly effective but carries risks such as vitamin deficiencies.
Gastric Bypass Surgery: Procedure and Benefits
Gastric bypass surgical procedure is the most common method among obesity surgeries. Gastric bypass surgery is a type of bariatric procedure. During gastric bypass surgery, changes are made in your stomach and small intestine to change the way you absorb and digest food. In gastric bypass surgery, the amount of food your stomach holds is restricted and you feel full for a long. The stomach is disconnected on the top part and made a small porch first. Then, a loop of the small intestine is brought up and connected to this porch. In that way, the surgeon reroutes the GI (gastrointestinal) tract. It helps suppress appetite and eliminate the effects of obesity.
Gastric bypass surgery offers a multi-faceted approach to weight loss. Restricting stomach capacity, limiting calorie absorption, and modulating gut hormones, provide individuals with effective tools for long-term weight management.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery: Procedure and Benefits
Gastric sleeve surgery, also called sleeve gastrectomy, is a bariatric procedure for weight loss. In this procedure, the size of the patient's stomach is reduced. It removes about 80% of your stomach and leaves a structure about the size and shape of a banana. It is known that sleeve gastrectomy is simpler, faster, and safer than similar surgeries. Because this procedure doesn't reorganize your intestines, it's very rare for it to cause nutritional complications.
Some of the conditions that gastric sleeve surgical procedure reduce the risk can be lined up as below:
- Heart disease
- Hypertension
- High cholesterol
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Type 2 diabetes
- Cancer
After having gastric sleeve surgery follow all instructions given by your surgeon and choose a healthy lifestyle with a well-balanced diet and regular exercise.
Gastric Balloon: Procedure and Benefits
The gastric balloon is a device that is temporarily placed in the stomach of the patient to make the patient feel full with less food. Thus, rapid, healthy, and permanent weight loss is targeted in the postoperative period.
It can be a good alternative for those who have been trying to diet and exercise for a long time but cannot reach their weight loss goals.
The gastric balloon medical procedure has few side effects for the patient and complications occur very little. It is normal to have pain and nausea in the days after the balloon is placed and will usually go away on its own.
Some of the weight-related health problems that gastric balloons help can be lined up as below:
- Heart disease or stroke
- High blood pressure
- Sleep apnea
- Type 2 diabetes
Gastric balloon procedure may help you lose weight but it doesn’t work properly and do not forget that the surgeons are not magicians. Even after having gastric balloon surgery, you should permanently change your lifestyle and continue diet and exercise.
Gastric Injections: Procedure and Benefits
As an alternative to bariatric surgeries, there are other methods to help people who suffer from obesity. Gastric injections are one of the most known ways to lose weight. Some of the gastric injections that are commonly used can be lined up as below:
Semaglutide: Semaglutide helps stimulate your pancreas to increase the amount of hormone produced. Hormone is a hormone that triggers the body to absorb sugar from the blood and turn it into energy.
Wegovy: Wegovy is a stomach injection that is commonly used to lose weight.
Ozempic: Ozempic is a weekly injection for people with type 2 diabetes. It manages blood sugar levels and the patient feels less hungry.
Diabetes Surgery (SADI-S): Procedure and Benefits
Type 2 diabetes is very harmful to human health. Diabetes surgery is one of the most effective solutions to this problem. Diabetes surgery (SADI-S) is known as a variation of duodenal switch surgery. The full name of SADI-S is Gastric Sleeve and Single Anastomosis Duodeno-Ileal Bypass.
In this procedure, the stomach is turned into a banana-shaped tube, as in the tube stomach. It is a preferred bariatric surgery to provide permanent and healthy weight loss and to reduce metabolic problems such as Type-2 diabetes and dyslipidemia.
SADI-S is the latest procedure approved by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. The results of this operation are extremely promising and provide excellent weight loss and remission of type 2 diabetes.
What is Bikini Sleeve?
Bikini reduction surgery is a relatively new surgery. This procedure is a modified version of a surgical procedure known as "stomach sleeve surgery". To stay in shape after bikini reduction surgery, support of body shaping surgery and other aesthetic procedures may be considered.
Bikini reduction surgery is a laparoscopic procedure in which the operation area is monitored using a fiber optic telescope and the operation is performed with the help of this instrument. In this way, the surgeon moves more comfortably during the procedure.
Since the openings are made in the bikini area, the patient feels much less pain in the first days of the recovery process.
Bikini sleeve surgery is usually preferred by women who care about the appearance of their bodies after having an aesthetical surgical procedure.
The Role of Diet and Lifestyle Changes After Abdominal Operations
As we mentioned before, surgeons are not magicians who make you lose weight immediately. In Addition, abdominal operations themself are not enough to lose weight. That should be considered as a starting point for a healthier lifestyle.
At this point, a well-balanced diet and exercises take the stage. During the recovery period, you should follow the surgeon’s instructions. Remember, they are experienced professionals in their field and you are not the first patient they help to lose weight in the long term.
Chose a healthy lifestyle and see the abdominal operation you took as a turning point, a start for a new life.
Long-Term Effects and Expected Weight Loss Results
Sustainable weight loss should aim for no more than 1.5 kilograms per week. It should not be forgotten that fast weight loss methods cause serious health problems such as muscle loss.
Reaching a healthy weight reduces the risks of chronic conditions. Losing weight can often vary depending on internal and external factors such as genetics, metabolism, and discipline. Long-term success is associated with adopting lifestyle changes.
Weight loss can have psychological and emotional effects, so it's crucial to address related issues. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice and support. It's common to experience weight loss plateaus during your journey. These are periods where your weight stays the same despite your efforts. Plateaus can be frustrating, but they're a normal part of the process. Adjusting your diet, and exercise routine, or seeking guidance from a healthcare professional can help overcome them.
Compared to short-term and non-permanent weight loss, long-term weight loss is often associated with adopting sustainable lifestyle changes. These changes are included a balanced and nutritious diet, regular physical activity, stress management, and adequate sleep.
