Bariatric surgery, also known as weight loss surgery, is a type of surgery that helps severely obese people lose weight and improve their health. These procedures alter the body’s ability to absorb nutrients or limit the amount of food the stomach can hold.
Weight loss surgeries come in a variety of forms, including:
Surgery for gastric bypass: The small intestine is rerouted to a small pouch at the top of the stomach during this procedure, which limits the amount of food that can be consumed and reduces the amount of calories absorbed.
Gastrectomy with sleeves: A portion of the stomach is removed during this procedure, leaving behind a small, tube-shaped stomach that can hold less food and helps reduce appetite.
Gastric banding that is movable: During this procedure, a band is placed around the upper part of the stomach. This creates a small pouch above the band that restricts how much food can be eaten.
Biliopancreatic redirection with duodenal switch: A significant portion of the stomach is removed during this procedure, and the small intestine is redirected to a smaller stomach pouch. Additionally, this procedure alters the digestive tract’s flow of bile and pancreatic enzymes, further restricting calorie absorption.
People who have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher or who also have serious health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or sleep apnea are typically candidates for weight loss surgeries.
While weight loss surgery can greatly improve health and quality of life by reducing obesity-related health issues, there are still risks associated with it, such as infection, bleeding, and anesthesia-related complications. Before undergoing any weight loss surgery, patients should carefully consider their options and talk to a qualified bariatric surgeon about their goals and concerns.
