Bariatric surgery is surgery on the stomach intended to help an extremely obese person lose weight. There are two types of bariatric surgery: gastric bypass and gastric banding. Gastric bypass is a permanent surgery that sections part of the stomach to create a pouch that is connected to the intestine. The size of the pouch limits how much food can be eaten. With gastric banding, a band is inserted to reduce the size of the opening between the esophagus and stomach and bypass part of the intestine, thus limiting the amount of food that can be eaten and calories that are absorbed.
Who Qualifies for Bariatric Surgery?
According to the National Institute of Health's guidelines, to qualify for bariatric surgery, patients should be at least 100 lb. overweight with a BMI of 40. Patients with a BMI of 35 may also qualify if they have Type 2 diabetes, cancer, depression, heart disease, high cholesterol, sleep apnea or high blood pressure. Bariatric surgery has been shown to reduce the risk and complications of these conditions.
Bariatric surgery is performed under general anesthesia. The type of surgery performed determines the length of the hospital stay. Foods are severely restricted for the first three months following surgery, beginning with liquids then moving up to pureed and solid foods. Small meals must be eaten six times a day. Overeating may cause vomiting and epigastric pain. Most patients lose weight very quickly, up to half of their extra weight in the first two years.
Risks Associated With Bariatric Surgery
As with any surgery, bariatric surgery has its risks. Dumping is a condition that occurs in people who have had bariatric surgery. The contents of the stomach may move through the intestines too quickly and cause pain, vomiting and diarrhea and dizziness. Many patients experience this after eating fatty foods.
Smokers who receive gastric bypass surgery have a higher risk of blood clots in the legs. If the blood clots travel to the lungs or heart, they can cause death. It is best to quit smoking before having any form of bariatric surgery.
In some patients, a leak may occur where the bowel and stomach are connected. If this happens, the contents of the bowel may leak into the stomach and cause serious infection. Scar tissue from the surgery may also cause a bowel obstruction, requiring emergency surgery. Symptoms of a leak or obstruction include abdominal pain, vomiting and fever.
There is a chance of developing an ulcer after bariatric surgery. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting blood and pain while eating. Patients should avoid smoking and taking anti-inflammatory medicines as these can increase the risk of developing an ulcer.
With any surgery, there is always the risk of death. Death occurs in less than 1% of patients. For many people, bariatric surgery actually lowers the risk of death due to complications caused by obesity. The benefits of bariatric surgery may outweigh the risks. Only a doctor can determine if a patient is a good candidate for bariatric surgery.
Sources:
asmbs.org, American Society for Metabalic and Bariatric Surgery
nlm.nih.com, "Weight Loss Surgery"
Mayoclinic.com, " Gastric Bypass Surgery: What Can You Expect?"
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