Obesity surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, is a set of surgical procedures that are performed to treat obesity and obesity-related diseases. Obesity surgery is an effective tool to help people with obesity lose weight and improve their long-term health. In this article, we will discuss the types of obesity surgery and how the procedure is performed.
Types of obesity surgery:
Gastric bypass: In this procedure, a small stomach pouch is created to reduce the amount of food that can be consumed at one time. The stomach pouch is then connected to the small intestine to reduce calorie absorption.
Gastric sleeve: In this procedure, a portion of the stomach is removed to reduce the amount of food that can be consumed at one time. The gastric sleeve is less invasive than gastric bypass and has a lower complication rate.
Gastric banding: In this procedure, a band is placed around the stomach to reduce the amount of food that can be eaten at one time. The band can be adjusted to control the amount of food consumed.
Intragastric balloon: In this procedure, a balloon is placed in the stomach to reduce the amount of food that can be consumed at one time. The balloon is removed after six months.
How obesity surgery is performed:
Obesity surgery is performed under general anaesthesia in a hospital. The procedure can last from one to four hours, depending on the type of surgery performed. After surgery, a hospital stay of one to three days will be required to monitor recovery and prevent complications.
After surgery, a liquid diet is recommended for the first few weeks to allow the stomach to heal and adapt to the new shape. After that, soft foods can be introduced and then solid foods gradually.
Obesity surgery is a safe and effective procedure to treat obesity and improve long-term health. If you are considering obesity surgery, talk to your doctor to determine which type of surgery is right for you and to get information and guidance on the appropriate treatment for your condition.