When looked at, surgical weight loss procedures have come a long way since the early days. The evolving techniques and the advances in surgical equipment have improved the safety profile and decreased risks and complications. This blog explores various weight loss surgical procedures and their effectiveness in treating obesity and improving the quality of life.
What Is a Surgical Weight Loss Procedure?
Another name for surgical weight loss procedures is bariatric procedures or metabolic surgeries. It is a broad term that encompasses any surgical technique that aims to decrease weight to treat obesity and its related health issues.
There are several types of surgical weight loss procedures and ways in which they achieve effective weight loss, such as reducing the size of the stomach, re-routing the structures of the digestive tract, reducing the absorption of nutrients/calories, and decreasing the levels of hormones concerned with hunger and increased appetite.
Who Is a Suitable Candidate For Weight Loss Proc?
Surgical weight loss procedures are not for individuals who just want to lose a couple of pounds here and there. Suitable candidates typically have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 kg/m² or higher (morbid obesity), or a BMI between 35-39.9 kg/m² (severe obesity) accompanied by obesity-related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or sleep apnea. Prior attempts at weight loss through diet, exercise, and other interventions should have been unsuccessful. Individuals must be aged 18-65 years old, long-term commitment required, and possess the necessary psychological readiness for the procedure and its lifestyle changes.
What Are The Types of Weight Loss Procedures?
There are different types of bariatric surgery. Individuals suffering from obesity and unable to lose weight by any other means benefit from these quick weight loss procedures. Some of the widespread procedures for weight loss are:
Gastric Sleeve Operation
A gastric sleeve is called a sleeve gastrectomy. In this procedure, doctors change the shape of the stomach, leaving a narrow tube or sleeve-like structure by removing 80% of the stomach. This sleeve is later attached to the small intestine further down its length.
A sleeve gastrectomy decreases stomach size, prevents absorption of calories, and decreases the levels of the hunger hormone Ghrelin.
The procedure is quick, making it an efficient surgical option. It can also be performed in combination with other bariatric procedures, such as gastric bypass or SADI-S surgery, to enhance outcomes. Additionally, it is effective in achieving visible and durable weight loss for many patients.
The surgery is irreversible, meaning the changes made during the procedure cannot be undone. It is slightly less effective in terms of weight loss compared to gastric bypass. Furthermore, there is a risk of developing or exacerbating acid reflux following the surgery.
Gastric Bypass Surgery
Gastric bypass surgery focuses on re-routing the normal digestive tract. In the procedure, the stomach is divided into two unequal parts. Some parts of the small intestine are excised as well. Therefore, the stomach has a smaller portion in the body. The larger portion of the stomach is essentially bypassed and will no longer store or digest food.
When it comes to its pros and cons, it ensures the durable weight loss and improves obesity-related health issues. However, it is a complex procedure and might cause more nutritional deficiencies. After the procedure, the risk of some health problems such as gastric ulcers increase.
AGB – Adjustable Gastric Band
It is a procedure where an adjustable silicone band is inserted over the top part of the stomach. It decreases the functional gastric space and narrows the opening food entering to the stomach.
This procedure is associated with very few complications and is reversible, making it a less invasive option. It typically does not require a hospital stay, and there is a lower chance of developing nutritional deficiencies since no structures are excised or rerouted.
However, it is comparatively less effective in achieving weight loss, which tends to occur at a slower pace. The silicone band used in the procedure requires frequent adjustments, and there is a risk of enlargement of the esophageal opening over time. Additionally, there are higher chances of needing revision surgery and experiencing dissatisfaction with the outcomes.
BPD/DS – Biliopancreatic Diversion With Duodenal Switch
During this surgery, a stomach sleeve is formed which is closer to a sleeve gastrectomy procedure. In this procedure, a certain part of the small intestine is connected to this tube-like stomach pouch. After passing through the newly created stomach, the food bypasses almost 75% of the total length of the small intestine. This is more than any other bariatric surgery.
In a BPD/DS bariatric surgery, two anastomoses are performed, one between the stomach sleeve and small intestine and the other between various parts of the small intestine.
This procedure is highly effective for treating obesity and its related health issues, with a significant impact on intestinal hormones due to the bypassing of 75% of the intestine. It also leads to noticeable improvements in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, making it a powerful option for metabolic and weight management.
However, the surgery carries a higher risk of nutritional deficiencies and is both complex and irreversible. There is also an increased risk of complications, including the potential for gastric reflux.
SADI-S – Single Anastomosis Duodenal-Ileal Bypass With Sleeve Gastrectomy
This is a simple version of a BPD/DS procedure. After forming the gastric sleeve, the small intestine is put at the level of the duodenum. As the procedure bypasses a smaller portion of the small intestine compared to the BPD/DS surgery, there are fewer malabsorption-related issues.
This procedure is simpler to perform and takes less time to complete compared to other bariatric surgeries. It is effective in achieving durable weight loss and has shown significant improvement in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Additionally, only one anastomosis is performed, reducing the complexity of the surgery.
Despite its advantages, the procedure can lead to nutritional deficiencies and may affect bowel movement frequency. As a newer surgery, long-term outcomes and potential risks are still being studied.
What Is The Incidence of Various Weight Loss Surgery Types?
Obesity is a debilitating health issue that severely affects the lives of people. There has been a sharp increase in obesity and obesity-related problems over the last decade. Surgical procedures for weight loss have become more common, safer, and more accessible due to this reason.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can surgical procedures for weight loss improve fertility?
Yes, by causing weight loss, rebalancing hormones, and improving overall health these procedures improve fertility.
After a gastric bypass, what happens to the part of the stomach no longer in use?
It remains where it is, functioning normally, though it no longer receives or stores any food.
Do surgical procedures for weight loss cause lax and loose skin folds to form?
Yes, sudden and excessive weight loss does result in loose and lax skin folds. There are many effective cosmetic procedures to improve and address this problem.
How do surgical procedures for weight loss impact psychological health?
By boosting confidence and self-esteem, surgical procedures for weight loss have a profound impact on psychological health.
