WHAT IS BARIATRIC (WEIGHT LOSS) SURGERY?

Bariatric (Weight Loss) Surgery is considered for patients who are morbidly obese (overweight).

The following are the candidates for weight loss surgery:

•Individuals who have repeatedly tried and failed with dieting.

•Individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35 i.e. approximately 50kg than the ideal weight or more and health-related conditions including high blood pressure, diabetes, joint disease, depression, or others.

Bariatric (weight loss) Surgery promotes weight loss through two different methods:

•The first method makes the stomach smaller and is called a restrictive procedure i.e. swedish adjustable gastric banding

•The second method is by bypassing the part of the intestine that is most able to absorb calories and is called a malabsorptive procedure.

•Combination of both: Roux-en-Y Gastric bypass.

Laparoscopic Banding & Gastric Bypass are the popular operations.

On average, patients lose 65-85% percent of excess body weight within one year after surgery.

Because surgery is such an effective method of long-term weight loss, most patients experience profound improvements in their health. Many of the health problems associated with obesity (overweight) are resolved after weight loss surgery.

•Type 2 Diabetes: 83 percent resolved (no oral or injectable medication needed)
•Obstructive sleep apnea: 85 percent resolved
•High blood pressure: 75 percent resolved (no medicines needed)
•High Cholesterol: 93 percent improvement

Other conditions that may be greatly improved after surgery are acid reflux, arthritis of weight bearing joints, swollen legs/skin ulcers, depression, menstrual irregularities and infertility.

The patient has to maintain a high level of post operative care with respect to diet - any fluid or solid intake should be in strict accordance with the surgeon's advice, which will help the patient realise the targeted weight loss.

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