The Effects of Bariatric Surgery in Obese People  

2021-11-26

Bariatric surgery is a type of surgical procedure that is carried out on a person to help them reduce weight, it is done by reducing the size of the stomach or bypassing it directly to the small intestine. This type of surgery is usually done on an overweight individual who has been unable to achieve a significant amount of weight loss for a long time. Bariatric surgery is done to assist such a person to lose a significant amount of weight by reducing the amount of food especially the number of calories in the food that can be consumed before one becomes full.

Understanding Bariatric Surgery

This type of surgical procedure is can only be done on a specific group of individuals in society; overweight people who while checking their weight status are more than double the ideal weight. This type of obesity is usually known as morbid obesity with a very good reason behind it; higher chances of developing serious health complications that can cause a reduction of one’s life span if not well managed. Some of these complications include;

The theory behind this procedure goes back to the possibility of being able to reduce the volume of one’s stomach and making the entrance into the small intestines smaller, hence, resulting in a slow emptying of the contents found in the stomach. This makes people with challenges of weight reduction consume fewer calories. In most cases, the volume of the stomach is reduced to about half a cup from around four cups.

What should be noted about this surgery is that it can never be done on people who have not doubled their weight twice their ideal weight, individuals who abuse the substance, or people with psychological disorders. However, what is considered includes general health status, and being positive to responding well to treatments after surgery.

Procedures Involved in Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery can be done using the following procedures.

  1. Gastric bypass surgery: Here, the volume of the stomach is reduced using stainless steel staples that are used to separate the stomach and the ileum resulting in the formation of new pouches. One is attached at the end of the gullet and the other is passed at the beginning of the ileum opening. As food passes from the esophagus, it enters the pouch, it does not enter the main portion of the stomach and is slowly emptied into the ileum for absorption.
  2. Vertical banding gastroplasty: A procedure where an artificial pouch is made using staples in different areas of the stomach. This is followed by putting a plastic mesh into the pouch to stop dilation from occurring. This procedure is normally done using several incisions in the abdomen using tools and instruments through the tiny holes.
  3. The jejunoileal bypass: This method is rarely done, it involves shortening of the ileum. However, it comes with some very serious challenges including liver disease and chronic diarrhea.

Steps taken before surgery is performed

Patients who qualify for this type of surgical operation are carefully chosen by the medical team of doctors. This is later followed by a series of tests that are conducted on the patients, they include blood tests where one’s hemoglobin level is tested and urine tests.

Then the patient gets a chance to discuss their health status and the administration of anesthesia; such as how their health can affect anesthesia. This is then followed by counseling to help the patient prepare for surgery and foresee the outcome of the surgery.

Steps taken after surgery is performed

Immediately after surgery, the nutritionist or dietitian will recommend most of the patients to use a liquid diet only for the first two to three weeks before the graduation of meals, however, to some, this can go for up to twelve weeks.

After the period has elapsed, the patients can now start taking soft diets or meals for the next one to two months after which a normal diet can be started again. 

Patients are encouraged to change their old eating habits and start embracing good eating behaviors to assist them in losing extra weight and maintaining a normal weight status. This includes practicing intake of three to four small meals each day when a normal diet has been established.

What to avoid after a Bariatric surgery
  • High-fat foods can lead to diarrhea; it is difficult to digest fat.
  • Eating too much can result in one having several episodes of nausea and vomiting.
  • Intestinal dumping as a result of fast eating, resulting in pain, diarrhea, dizziness, and general body weakness.

Some Complications associated with Bariatric Surgery

  1. Lactose intolerance
  2. Intolerance of fatty foods
  3. Diarrhea
  4. Intestinal discomfort

In conclusion, bariatric surgery can be one of the methods that can assist one to lose weight, however, it is not a smooth ride in the park. Hence, this will depend on the willingness of the patient to start practicing good eating behaviors and exercise to ensure that at the end of it all they have been able to maintain a normal weight status.

Written by: Jackson . P. Omanwa