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What is bariatric surgery?
Bariatric surgery is a group of procedures performed for patients who need to lose weight or otherwise they are at risk of getting into complications like:
- Heart problems
- Diabetes
- Sleep apnea
- High blood pressure
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
Bariatric surgery works by making alterations to your digestive system. They do so by changing the ways your body absorbs nutrients and how much you eat.
Obesity has become too common these days and so is bariatric surgery. Before bariatric surgery obese people are recommended to try exercise regimens and dietary changes. And if these don’t work they are recommended for bariatric surgery.
What are the types of bariatric surgery?
There are three basic types of bariatric surgery:
- Gastric bypass:
It is one of the most common types of bariatric surgery. For this surgery the General Surgeon in Karachi
creates a small pouch from your stomach and attaches it to your small intestine. Swallowed food directly goes into this pouch and then passes on to the small intestine skipping most part of your stomach.
- Sleeve gastrectomy:
For sleeve gastrectomy 80% part of your stomach is removed by making multiple small incisions in the upper abdomen using laparoscopic methods. As a result you are left with a small banana sized stomach and you eat relatively less food.
- Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch:
Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch is the least common type of bariatric surgery. It is basically a combination of gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy and is performed in two steps. It is only recommended to people whose BMI is over 50. This type of bariatric surgery is definitely more effective than other types but it also has many after effects.
Is bariatric surgery safe?
Just like any other surgical procedure, bariatric surgery also poses certain risks. But surgeons all over the world firmly believe that the benefits of bariatric surgery outnumber its risks or downsides. And it is one of the safest surgical procedures that one can undergo.
How can patients prepare themselves for bariatric surgery?
To get ready for the bariatric surgery one must follow along these steps:
- Get recommended blood work done.
- Get urine tests if recommended.
- Stop taking any medications that might interfere with the procedure of bariatric surgery.
- Stop eating and drinking at least 8 hours before the surgery.
How is bariatric surgery performed?
On the day of the surgery when you reach the hospital this is how the process of the surgery will look like:
- You will be asked to take your jewelry off and change into a hospital gown.
- Then you will be taken to the procedure room.
- There you will be asked to lie on a table and an intravenous line will be attached.
- Anesthetic medication will be given to you with this intravenous line or some other administrative method.
- While you are unconscious your anesthesiologist will monitor your heart rate and blood pressure.
- Then the General Surgeon in Islamabad will make an incision in your stomach and perform the chosen type of bariatric surgery.
- After performing the surgery they will close the incision or incisions with the help of stitches.
- You will be shifted to a recovery room until you gain consciousness.
What happens after bariatric surgery?
Patients are required to stay at the hospital for 2 to 3 days after the bariatric surgery or until they fully recover. During this period they are usually not allowed to eat, this helps with the healing of the digestive system.
After getting discharged from the hospital, patients are required to make modifications and permanent changes in their lifestyle and diet. They are also recommended to see their doctor for regular health checkups after a specified period of time.
Can bariatric surgery cause any complications?
Bariatric surgery is extremely beneficial but its does have some chances of causing complications like:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Injuries to food pipe or stomach
- Leakage in the sleeve after a sleeve gastrectomy
- Leakage of the digestive tract
- Ulcer
- Hernia
- Gallstones
- Bowel obstruction
- Acid reflux
- Malnutrition
- Anemia
