OBESITY SURGERY

OBESITY SURGERY

What is obesity surgery?

Obesity surgery is various surgical procedures to the digestive system in order for overweight patients to lose weight and gain a healthier body. Obesity surgery is also called “bariatric surgery”. Obesity surgeries are surgical procedures that are applied with the principle of reducing the food intake capacity by reducing the size of the stomach, reducing the digestion by regenerating the passage ways of the food between the stomach and intestines and decreasing the food absorption from the intestines. In addition to preventing the physical and chemical intake of food intake in obesity operations, these operations result in more healthy digestion of many hormones and enzymes related to digestion. The first operations for obesity were made in the 60’s. Commonly used obesity surgeries are sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass surgery.

What is sleeve gastrectomy?

Sleeve gastrectomy is an operation in which about 80% of the stomach is removed and the size of the stomach is reduced. The operation is called sleeve gastrectomy because the remaining stomach after surgery is in the form of a sleeve. This surgery aims to lose weight by limiting the amount of food the patient can receive. After surgery, patients feel satiety with very little nutrition. The first reason is that the stomach volume shrinks and the other reason is that it is surgically removed in the stomach area that secretes the hunger hormone. Sleeve gastrectomy is a closed operation with laparoscopy. Patients can usually be discharged within 3-5 days after surgery. Within 1-2 years after sleeve gastrectomy, patients lose their excess weight to a large extent.

What is gastric bypass surgery?

In gastric bypass surgery, both the volume of the stomach is reduced by a connection to the small intestines and a large part of the small intestines is bypassed. In this surgery, both the reduction of the gastric volume and the bypassing a portion of the intestines are intended to remove a portion of the food without being absorbed. After gastric bypass surgery, patients are fed with less food and only some of the food they consume is absorbed. The operation can be performed in a closed surgery with a laparoscopic method or by using robotic surgery. Patients can usually be discharged within 3-5 days after surgery. The surgeon should warn patients against vitamin and mineral deficiencies due to decreased nutrient absorption and postoperative patients should be advised by the dietician on this issue. 

Who is eligible for obesity surgery?

Patients with severe obesity whose body mass index (BMI) is over 40 kg / m² or whose BMI is between 35-40 kg / m² in addition to the problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea are advised for obesity operations. Patients should preferably be between 18 and 65 years of age. The patients have to fail first at least 6 month long 2 diet programs with the exercise. Suitable patients cannot have excess weight caused by other systemic, hormonal diseases that can lead to weight gain. For this reason, the cause of obesity in candidate patients should be clearly identified before surgery. Patients who are undergoing obesity surgery should not be pregnant for at least 2 years. Before the obesity surgery, the patients are evaluated by the anesthesiologist with blood, x-ray and ECG examinations in terms of compliance with the operation, and patients who do not have any hindering condition are taken into operation.

After obesity surgery

After obesity operations, it is recommended to take liquid or mashed food for the first month. It will not be difficult to get liquids. But when taking water or other liquids, it is important not to forget the various tips. Patients are recommended to drink plenty of water, to consume high fiber foods, to stay away from fatty and caloric foods, to eat slowly and well chew their food, and to drink water with meals after the surgery.

In order for obesity operations to be successful in weight reduction, patients should pay attention to their diet and exercise after surgery. It is important to change the eating habits and lifestyle after the operation.