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Basic Information On Weight Reduction Surgery

By Kathy Kaufman


Weight reduction surgery is stepwise procedure that is done to correct obesity in persons that are struggling with excess weight. It is also termed bariatric surgery. During the procedure, it is often necessary to reduce the size of the stomach as well through a number of techniques. This may be done either by use of sleeve gastrectomy or by use of a special gastric band. The former cuts off some portion whereas the latter only shrinks the volume. The bariatric procedure greatly benefits people struggling with conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.

It is recommended for people with a minimum body mass index of forty and those with existing medical conditions in which obesity is a predisposing factor. Such conditions may include diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, hypertension and impaired glucose tolerance. Surgery is considered when all other programs including exercise, diet and drug therapy have failed.

The benefits and risks of the procedure should be considered in full before a decision is made as to whether or not to have it. Most common complications that should be considered are malabsorption syndromes and gall bladder diseases. There is a high risk of patients getting into depression and as such pre-operation counselling is warranted.

Surgical procedures are grouped in to three main categories. These are malabsorptive, restrictive or mixed. The most commonly performed is the malabsorptive procedure. Malabsorptive operations aim at creating a physiological state of malabsorption. Biliopancreatic diversion combined with duodenal switch (BDS/DS) is one such undertaking. A section of the stomach is resected, creating a smaller pouch which is then directly connected to the ileum, bypassing the duodenum and jejunum. The malabsorption that results can be severe enough to cause serious deficiency diseases such as osteoporosis and anemia unless vitamins and mineral supplements are administered.

The restrictive procedure is one that minimizes eating by restricting the stomach volume. Persons that have undergone this type often get satisfied earlier than normal. Vertical banded gastroplasty is one of the procedures that can be used here. It involves the permanent placement of staples on the stomach in a manner that results in the creation of a smaller pouch. It is the safest.

Another restrictive technique is known as sleeve gastrectomy. In the hands of a skilled surgeon, up to 15% of the original size of the stomach can be successfully removed. The greatest portion is taken from the greater curvature. The stomach shape is transformed into more of a tube. In advanced centers, laparoscopes are used so as to improve on the accuracy.

In the immediate post-operation period, one should only take liquid foods such as fruit juices and broth and gelatin desserts which are sugar-free. One should eat these foods until the gut fully recovers from the operation. Other diets to be introduced slowly include skimmed milk, cream soup, protein drinks and blended foods.

As with any surgical procedure, there are a number of side effects associated with weight reduction surgery. Persons that have had this operation frequently have difficulties absorbing calcium. As a result, they often get various forms of metabolic bone disease of which osteopenia and secondary hyperparathyroidism are clinical features. The fact that loss of weight has occurred suddenly predisposes these individuals to gall stone formation. Other complications include reduced absorption of essential nutrients such as folate, iron, vitamin B12 and thiamine.




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