Weight loss / Bariatric surgery is also known as bariatric and metabolic surgery. These terms are used in order to reflect the impact of these operations on patients’ weight and the health of their metabolism (breakdown of food into energy). In addition to their ability to treat obesity, these operations are very effective in treating diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and high cholesterol, among many other diseases. These operations also have an ability to prevent future health problems. The benefits allow patients with obesity who choose to undergo treatment to enjoy a better quality of life and a longer lifespan.
Obesity; It is a disease that is increasingly seen all over the world, is described as the “disease of the age” and can cause life-threatening problems. Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment method in cases where diet and exercise alone do not provide effective results in the treatment of obesity and especially when health problems due to weight pose a serious threat. Especially; If the patient has important health problems such as Type 2 diabetes or sleep apnea due to obesity, bariatric surgery is an effective and permanent treatment option. Obesity patients, after bariatric surgery; It is known that many risk factors related to obesity can be reduced if they make stable improvements in their lifestyles by placing healthy nutrition at the center of their lives.
How Is Bariatric Surgery Performed?
Weight loss surgeries; It is applied by limiting how much you can eat or by reducing the absorption of nutrients or by performing both effects and making changes in the digestive system to aid weight loss. While some bariatric surgery operations provide the feeling of early satiety by providing less eating and drinking by shrinking the stomach; Some bariatric surgeries, on the other hand, reduce nutrient absorption and reduce calorie intake with the changes they cause in the small intestines. Some other bariatric surgical interventions are mixed-effect interventions that both restrict and reduce nutrient absorption.
What are Bariatric Surgery Methods?
In bariatric surgery procedures performed for the purpose of reducing stomach volume, bariatric surgery methods applied by making small incisions are performed laparoscopically and patients are provided with a higher comfortable recovery period with a lower-risk procedure compared to open surgery.
Tube Stomach Surgery (Gastric Sleeve)
Since it takes time for obese people to reach the feeling of satiety; In sleeve gastrectomy surgery, it is aimed to reduce the stomach volume and thus prevent the person from overeating. Gastric sleeve surgery is the most frequently performed bariatric surgery in our country. It has been observed that approximately 60% of unwanted weight is removed within 1-2 years after sleeve gastrectomy surgery performed with the closed method (laparoscopy).
Gastric Bypass Surgery
In gastric bypass surgery; By leaving the stomach largely dysfunctional and changing the structure of the small intestine, the patient is provided to lose weight. Gastric bypass surgery is a mixed procedure that is both restrictive and absorption-reducing.
In particular, people with diabetes (diabetes) at the forefront of obesity syndrome benefit more from this type of bariatric surgery.
Since gastric bypass surgery prevents the absorption of nutrients from the small intestine, it causes mineral and vitamin deficiencies at a higher rate than sleeve gastrectomy surgery; After the surgery, the patient should be followed more closely for vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
There are 2 types of gastric bypass surgeries: R-Y Gastric bypass and mini gastric bypass. The logic of both operations is basically the same. The difference between these two bariatric surgery methods is due to the application techniques.
Gastric Balloon (Intra-gastric Balloon Application)
In this bariatric surgery method, it is aimed to reduce the food intake capacity of the person by reducing the stomach volume with an adjustable balloon placed in the stomach and to create a feeling of fullness in the person.
It is performed with the endoscopic method and does not require general anesthesia and is completed in 15-20 minutes.
Nutrition After Bariatric Surgery
In order for all bariatric surgery applications to be successful in the long term; After bariatric surgery, patients should adopt healthy nutrition and regular exercise as a way of life and implement permanent healthy changes in their lives.
