Types of Bariatric Surgery

Obesity is the increase in body weight due to excessive fat accumulation that will impair one’s health. Factors such as malnutrition, hormonal imbalance, genetic predisposition, and sedentary lifestyle cause obesity. Many diseases are caused by being overweight. If obesity is not treated, it causes diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, fatty liver, cancer, joint pain, respiratory failure and sleep apnea. As a result of obesity treatment, these diseases completely improve or decrease. According to the researches, if obesity is not treated, the life expectancy of people is shortened and it causes premature death. According to another study, it was observed that the life expectancy of patients with obesity treatment increased by 10-13 years.

Bariatric surgery is a treatment method that prevents permanent weight loss and weight gain if the diet is followed. Contrary to popular belief, bariatric surgery is not applied for aesthetic concerns. Bariatric surgery is applied to increase the quality of life of patients who have health problems due to excess weight. Bariatric surgery is not applied to every overweight person.

What Is Bariatric Surgery?

People with a body mass index of 35 and above are defined as obese. Due to being overweight, it causes many diseases such as heart diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure, joint disease, infertility or difficulty in pregnancy, respiratory failure, fatty liver.

Bariatric surgery is the surgical procedure applied to change the stomach and digestive system in order to treat patients with a body mass index above 35 -40, who have many health problems and to enable them to lose weight in a healthy way. There are different methods used in bariatric surgery. Not every method is suitable for every patient. The method to be applied to the patients is decided by the doctor after a comprehensive examination and according to the patient’s needs.

Who Is Bariatric Surgery Suitable For?

Bariatric surgery is applied not for aesthetic concerns, but to treat health problems that people experience due to excess weight. Obesity surgery is not applied to every overweight person. Some of the necessary conditions for the application of bariatric surgery are;

• Body mass index should be over 35-40.
• Experiencing diseases such as heart diseases due to overweight, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high blood pressure,
• Those who cannot lose weight with their own efforts despite applying diet and sports for at least 6 months and 2 times,
• Obesity surgery is not applied to alcohol, cigarette and substance addicts,
• Those who do not have serious health problems that prevent surgery and anesthesia,
• Those between the ages of 18-65 legally,
• Obesity surgery can be applied to those with good mental and physical health.

What Are The Risks Of Bariatric Surgery?

There is a certain level of risk in every surgical operation. Bariatric surgery also has certain risks and side effects. The number of people who lost their lives due to obesity-related health problems is much higher than those who lost their lives due to obesity surgery. The risk of death in obesity surgeries is very low.

The risks and side effects experienced after obesity surgery are;

• Risk of infection
• The body’s reaction to anesthesia
• Blood clotting
• Experiencing lung and respiratory problems
• Leaks and bleeding in the treated stomach part
• Very low risk of death

Apart from the risks and side effects seen immediately after obesity operations, there are some problems experienced in the subsequent processes. Long-term risks are;

• Intestinal obstruction, constipation
• Dizziness, nausea, vomiting
• dumping syndrome
• Low blood sugar,
• Reflux, ulcer, stomach acid,
• The need for a second surgical procedure,
• Gall and kidney stones, hernia

What Are The Types Of Bariatric Surgery?

Thanks to the developing technology and modern medicine, there are many different methods applied in bariatric surgery. Not every bariatric surgery method is suitable for every patient. Which method will be applied to which patient is determined according to the patient’s age, gender, current diseases, and pregnancy desire for women. The main purpose of all the methods applied is to lose weight in a healthy way, to maintain the weight lost and to treat weight-related diseases.

If the obesity surgery is performed by the surgeon and his team who are experts in this field, the effect of the procedure is high and it provides rapid weight loss. Some of the methods used in bariatric surgery are;

• Gastric band (stomach clamp)
• Tube stomach,
• Gastric bypass,
• Mini gastric bypass,
• Duodenal Switch,
• Robotic bariatric surgery,

What Is Gastric Band (Stomach Clamp)?

In the gastric clamp method, the upper part of the stomach at the end of the esophagus is divided into two parts with a special medical tape. The tape is a tube insert placed under the skin in the abdominal wall. It is attached with a miter so that it is possible to intervene from the outside. With the help of a band, the stomach takes the shape of an hourglass. Thanks to this method, the food consumed remains in the upper part of the stomach and cannot go down. Gastric clamp method is not preferred much nowadays.

What Are The Disadvantages-Risks Of The Gastric Band?

The gastric banding method has some disadvantages. In the gastric clamp method, no part is taken from the stomach. Since the hormone that causes the feeling of hunger is secreted in the stomach region and this region is not removed, the person continues to experience hunger and when he cannot suppress the desire to eat, he has the problem of vomiting due to excessive food intake. Some disadvantages experienced in gastric band operations are;

• Constant feeling of hunger,
• Nausea and vomiting due to overeating,
• The risk of slipping, sagging or passing into the esophagus of the applied tape,
• Damage to the stomach tissue and discomfort due to its location on the stomach,
• Slower and less weight loss compared to other obesity methods,
• Weight regain if the cuff is removed,

What Is Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Sleeve gastrectomy is a surgical procedure in which approximately 80-85% of the stomach is removed, leaving an average of 100-150 ml gastric volume. The reason why it is called a tube stomach is that the stomach is left in the appearance of a banana. In sleeve gastrectomy surgeries, the region of the stomach where the hunger hormone is secreted is also removed. Thanks to this portion taken, the feeling of hunger decreases, and accordingly, a small amount of food is eaten and weight is lost quickly. Gastric surgeries are divided into three groups: volume reduction, absorption restriction, and both. Gastric sleeve surgery is a procedure in which the stomach volume is reduced and food intake is restricted. In sleeve gastrectomy operations, there is no effect on food absorption and the person does not need additional vitamin and mineral supplements.

Gastric sleeve surgery is an easier method than other gastric surgeries and its success is more permanent. The application of the specialist in this field of operation is very important. If the patients adapt to the new diet after the operation, they lose weight quickly and the lost weight becomes permanent. After the operation, the patients stay in the hospital for 1-2 days and after they recover, they are checked for leaks in the stomach with radiological imaging, and if there is no problem, the patients are discharged.

After sleeve gastrectomy, patients are followed up closely by the doctor and dietitian. 3,6,9,12,18. Called for monthly check-up. You should definitely not disrupt these controls.

What Are The Advantages Of Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery?

As there are many advantages of bariatric surgery, sleeve gastrectomy also has many advantages. Some of the advantages of sleeve gastrectomy surgery are;

• Complete recovery or regression is observed in diseases caused by overweight such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea,
• Since the area where the hunger hormone is secreted is removed, a feeling of satiety is provided,
• You can easily consume many foods in small amounts,
• Dumping syndrome is not seen after sleeve gastrectomy,
• It is a method that is easier to apply than other methods,
• The success of the operation is permanent,
• Faster weight loss is experienced,
• There is no foreign body in the stomach area such as gastric band,

What Are The Disadvantages-Risks Of Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery?

Although there are many advantages, unfortunately, sleeve gastrectomy surgeries also have some disadvantages. Some disadvantages of sleeve gastrectomy surgeries are;

• The risk of leakage in the staple line on the stomach,
• Reflux
• Less weight loss compared to gastric bypass method,
• Nausea and vomiting problem in case of overeating,

What Is Gastric Bypass Operation?

Gastric Bypass operation is a surgical procedure applied to create a shorter connection with the stomach by shortening the small intestine by reducing the upper part of the stomach. In gastric bypass operations, the stomach volume is reduced, the food taken is reduced and absorption is restricted. Patients stay in the hospital for 2-4 days after the operation and are discharged if there is no problem.

What Is A Mini Gastric Bypass?

Mini gastric bypass is the process of giving the stomach a tube shape by using special stapler tools. In this procedure, the stomach size is left longer.

What Are The Advantages Of Gastric Bypass?

Some disadvantages of gastric bypass operations are;

• Patients reach the targeted weight in approximately 12-18 months,
• Diseases such as diabetes, blood pressure and sleep apnea due to obesity regress,
• The quality of life increases and the lifespan is extended,

What Are The Disadvantages Of Gastric Bypass Surgery?

Some disadvantages of gastric bypass surgery are;

• Leakage, leakage and bleeding problem in the staples around the stomach,
• Internal hernia formation after the operation,
• Gallbladder stones due to rapid weight loss,
• Nausea and vomiting due to overeating

What Is Duodenal Switch Surgery?

Duodenal Switch surgery is among the gastric surgeries that have both restrictive and absorption-reducing effects. This method is generally It is applied to overweight patients with a body mass index of 50 and above, with concomitant diseases such as type 2 diabetes and blood pressure. The most known disadvantage of this method is diarrhea and some vitamin and mineral deficiencies. It is necessary to use additional supplements to solve the deficiencies such as vitamins, minerals and iron.

What Is Robotic Bariatric Surgery?

Robotic obesity surgery is one of the most remarkable methods in gastric surgeries performed with closed methods in recent years. Since robot technology provides a 3-dimensional and high-resolution image to the doctor, the region and other organs can be seen more easily and the operation is provided without damaging the tissue.