Obesity Surgery | Surgery Weight Loss

WEIGHT LOSS (BARIATRIC) SURGERY

What is Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric Surgery is done on the stomach +/- small intestines to produce significant weight loss in obese patients. It causes severe restriction to the amount of food entering the stomach and getting digested by the small intestines.

Who are the candidates for Bariatric Surgery?

Subjects with Morbid Obesity are candidates for weight loss surgery. Morbid Obesity is defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or more.
The Body Mass Index is a value that is calculated by dividing the weight of the person (in kgs) by the square of his height (in meters). For example a 130 kgs person who is 170 cms tall will have a BMI=130/1.72 = 45 and therefore is a candidate for weight loss surgery.

Bariatric Surgery is proposed as an option only when other more traditional methods of weight loss such as diet and exercise have failed repeatedly. Hormonal imbalances are detected and corrected prior to surgery.

Commitment to major lifestyle changes is the reason for psychological screening before the surgery. Depression, alcoholism and other mental or behavioral disorders may interfere with the surgical outcome.
What are the different types of procedures done for weight loss?

There are many types of procedures that can be done for weight loss. These include:

– Gastric Banding
– Gastric Bypass
– Mini Gastric Bypass
– Sleeve Gastrectomy
– Gastric Plication
– BilioPancreatic Diversion

The procedure is usually tailored to each patient based on a number of variables and what may work for you may not necessarily work for others.
Some procedures involve surgery on the stomach alone (Banding, Sleeve, Plication) while others include surgery on the small intestines too (Bypass, BPD).

How is the recovery process like following weight loss surgery?

Most patients stay for 3-5 days in-hospital following their weight loss procedure.
The patient is usually discharged when he is pain-free and can move around and drink liquids.
– Your diet following surgery is restricted to liquids for a week or so, followed by soft, pureed food for another couple of weeks.
– You will feel full very quickly due to the small stomach size and may only be able to take solid food in very small quantities. The doctor will assess the need for replacement of iron and some vitamins such as Vit B12 and Calcium.
– Remember to chew your food slowly and very well before swallowing.
– Do not drink liquids at the same time and try to separate foods and liquids by around 30 minutes.
– Eat several (4-5) small meals per day and abide by the diet given to you.
– Avoid sugar, fat and alcohol.
– Resume physical exercise around 4-6 weeks following your surgery and make physical exercise a daily habit in order to maintain your weight loss.