Bariatric surgery
Bariatric surgery, the surgical reduction of stomach volume, is performed using one of two procedures: gastric bypass or gastric banding. Bypass surgery, the more common of the two, generally produces faster results in weight loss, while gastric banding is more easily reversible.
Both procedures reduce stomach volume to about 30 ml. After surgery the amount of food intake must decrease and all food must be chewed thoroughly. Benefits of the surgery include weight loss and reversal of such diseases as type II diabetes and sleep apnea. However, the bariatric patient should be aware of surgical risks.
How It’s Done
In gastric bypass surgery a new, smaller, stomach is created by a line of staples and is connected to a loop of the small bowel. During gastric banding, a silicone band is placed around the upper stomach creating a small reservoir and a restricted passage to the lower stomach. The average length of surgery is about 2 hours.
Technology
Most gastric bypass surgery is now done with the use of laparoscopic technology. Instead of a large abdominal incision, the laparoscopic technique employs the use of a small video camera and several tiny, customized instruments. This technique results in smaller incisions, less scarring, less pain, and in most cases a quicker recovery time.
Choosing Your Surgeon
Finding a surgeon that is right for you should involve direct, one-on-one consultation and inquiries about the doctor’s surgical background and success rate. Ultimately, he or she should be someone you are comfortable with, as well as someone your friends and family are comfortable going to with questions about the surgery and how to offer support after the operation.
- Make a list of things that are important to you and choose a surgeon that fits that criterion.
- Ask your family physician for recommendations.
- Visit online list serves for qualified surgeons in your area
- Choose a surgeon who has experience doing hundreds of surgeries instead of 15 or 20.
Recovery / Post Op Expectations
After surgery you should expect a hospital stay of at least 2 to 3 days, and absence from work for 3 to 6 weeks depending on your job. For the first several days you will experience discomfort and be unable to eat solid foods as your body adjusts to the operation.
You will be able to consume food only in small quantities. Based on health risks and your individual case the types of food you consume, like sugars fats and carbohydrates, may be limited as well.
Complications
There is no comprehensive data for complications from bariatric surgery; however, the postoperative mortality rate is estimated from 0.1% to 1 – 2%. Complications include:
- Respiratory failure
- taple leaking
- Stenosis (obstruction of stomach)
- Bleeding
Am I A Candidate?
In order to be a candidate for this surgery you are required to have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 40, or a BMI of at least 35 with life threatening health risks such as diabetes or respiratory diseases. In addition to this, a successful candidate should be motivated, acceptable of associated risks, and view surgery as a last resort after diet and exercise has failed.
Cost
The average cost of surgery is $25,000 and can range from $20,000 to $50,000 depending on the surgeon, clinic or hospital, and location.
Patients may also consider cosmetic surgery to remove unsightly skin after the bariatric procedure, which would add additional costs.