Bariatric (weight loss) Surgery

Bariatric (weight loss) surgery is the only treatment option for morbidly obese patients that has been proven to be a successful weight loss procedure. Morbid obesity can lead to diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer and many other serious conditions. Over 800,000 people have undergone this procedure, also commonly referred to as weight loss surgery.

Bariatric Surgery | Biliopancreatic Diversion (BPD) | Orlando Morbid obesity is classified as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or more, which equals being 100 pounds or more over ideal body weight. This condition leads to difficulty performing everyday tasks and may cause serious complications and a shorter life expectancy. The quality of life is also low in morbidly obese people. The causes of morbid obesity can vary but often include a combination of genetic, environmental and social factors. Patient who have a BMI above 35 with two co-morbidities such as diabetes, high blood pressure, hypertension or sleep apnea are also candidates for bariatric surgery.

There are several different types of bariatric (weight loss) surgery, but most focus on reducing the size of the stomach. This causes patients to feel full faster and therefore eat less food. After surgery, a proper balanced diet and a regular exercise routine are required to help lose weight in a healthy way and keep it off. While these restrictive procedures are common, other procedures use a malabsorptive technique that does not allow the small intestine to absorb all the calories that a person takes in, and some combine restrictive and malabsorptive techniques.

Some of the most common bariatric (weight loss) procedures include:

Gastric Bypass - This is a combination procedure and is the most popular weight loss surgery. Gastric bypass creates a pouch from the top of the stomach and connects it to a section of the small intestine, causing food to bypass a portion of the small intestine and limiting the body from absorbing fat.
Gastric Sleeve or sleeve gastrectomy is a procedure that restricts the amount of food that can be eaten by removing 85% of the stomach without bypassing the intestines or causing malabsorption of nutrients. The stomach is restricted by dividing it vertically and removing a large portion of it. The stomach that remains is shaped like a long narrow tube.
Gastric Banding - This is a restrictive procedure that implants a silicone band around part of the stomach and molds it into two different areas. An injection port is also attached to the abdominal wall and connected to the band to adjust it.

Gastric Sleeve Procedure

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Gastric Bypass Procedure

Most bariatric (weight loss) surgery procedures today are performed laparoscopically, which allows for smaller incisions, less tissue damage and shorter recovery times. You and your doctor can decide together which procedure is best for you.

There are risks associated with bariatric (weight loss) surgery, but the benefits are usually greater. The risks of bariatric surgery include bleeding, pain, infection, pneumonia, hernia, gallstones, marginal ulcer, internal hernia, anastomotic stricture, erosion and slippage of the band, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolus. Despite these risks, the mortality rate for these procedures is very low, and the benefits far outweigh the risks for most people.

Bariatric (weight loss) surgery provides an overall improved quality of life through rapid weight loss. It also drastically decreases the risks of co-morbid conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and cancer, which often occur alongside morbid obesity.

Although these procedures can improve self-confidence and appearance, they are not considered cosmetic surgery. Bariatric (weight loss) surgery is used for medical purposes and requires a lifelong commitment of diet and exercise in order to be successful. While it may seem like a quick-fix for weight loss, bariatric (weight loss) surgery should be considered as a medical treatment first. Patients must consider all aspects of the procedure and the after care when considering bariatric (weight loss) surgery.

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