subject: When To Consider A Stomach Reduction Surgery Procedure [print this page] Stomach reduction surgery also known as bariatric surgery should only be considered in cases where a person is severely obese and all forms of diet and exercise have failed to yield the desired results. Bariatric surgery is an effective solution from people who suffer from chronic obesity and related health conditions.
The surgery helps in the drastic reduction of weight and to alleviate the risk of type 2 diabetes by minimizing the intake of calories. Some studies have also suggested that stomach reduction surgery can increase the life span of patients who suffer from serious forms of obesity. However, bariatric surgery should be coupled with healthy eating habits and regular exercise for quick and conspicuous results.
The normal digestive process and how stomach reduction surgery alters it leading to weight loss:
Normally, food reaches the stomach where a strong digestive acid helps in the digestion of the food; the stomach has the capacity to hold 3 pints of food; from here the partially digested food move to the first part of the small intestine; this is the area where the calcium and iron from the food is absorbed; the other nutrients are then absorbed by the last two segments of the intestine.
Bariatric surgery is aimed at reducing the capacity of the stomach to hold food thus reducing the amount of food intake or it can also be achieved by limiting the absorption of the nutrients from the food items by restricting the exposure of digested food to the small intestine.
The different types of stomach reduction surgeries:
Adjustable gastric band: This type of procedure helps to reduce the intake of food by limiting the space available for food in the stomach; this is achieved by placing a band at the tops of the stomach creating a thumb sized pouch, the outlet is controlled by a balloon that can be increased or decreased in size with the help of saline water
Roux-en-YGastric Bypass: This surgery combines the effects of restrictive as well as bypass surgeries; the food intake is restricted and also the absorption of food is reduced. The first objective is achieved with a gastric band applied to the upper area of the stomach while the absorption of nutrients is restricted by limiting the contact of food with the upper portion of the intestine and stomach by routing the partially digested food from the pouch in the stomach to the small intestine.
Biliopancreatic Diversion with a duodenal switch: This procedure also controls the intake of food and the absorption of nutrients; however, it is a very complex bariatric surgery where a large portion of the stomach is excluded from the digestive process and the food is rerouted away from most parts of the small intestine; thus limiting the absorption of nutrients. A large portion of the stomach is removed creating a tubular gastric sleeve that restricts the amount of food intake. This smaller vertical sleeve is connected to a small part of the duodenum that in turn is connected to the end of the small intestine. The surgery leaves very little area of the duodenum for the absorption of nutrients.
Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy: This is the first part of the Biliopancreatic diversion surgery; in this procedure a large portion of the stomach is removed thus reducing the amount of food intake; however the ability to absorb the nutrients from food is not tampered with. So, there is no rerouting of the food from the small intestine.
A bariatric surgery can be conducted as an open procedure or a laparoscopic procedure. In the latter, small incisions are made to reach the abdominal cavity; a laparoscope (small camera) is inserted through one of the incisions while the other openings serve as an entry point for the various surgical instruments. Laparoscopic procedures heal faster because the incisions are smaller and are les prone to surgery related risks such as bleeding and infections.
However, patients who are very obese may need an open surgery that will need a larger incisions of at least 6 to 8 inches.
The costs:
Bariatric procedures can cost in the range of $20,000 to $25,000; insurance may cover the procedure if it is required for medical and not cosmetic reasons.
Risks:
Apart from the regular risks associated with surgeries such as infection and bleeding; the other issues that may be encountered after a bariatric procedure include:
Two types of hernias; incisional hernia which can be caused by a portion of the digestive system sticking out of the abdominal wall; this may cause blockages in the digestive system. The other type of hernia that may be caused after a bariatric procedure is an internal hernia where a part of the digestive system is lodged into the pockets lining the abdomen; these are very dangerous and will require immediate medical attention. Malnutrition is another problem that bariatric surgery patients have to contend with.
