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Weighing the Benefits: Surgery for Obesity

Weighing the Benefits: Surgery for Obesity

Bariatric surgery is weight loss surgery by gastric bypass. Weight loss by bariatric surgery is a long term and efficient way in the present day. Obesity is a life-long problem that leads to numerous complications along with disturbing both physical and mental health. There are several ways to lose weight. Some conventional ones include dietary changes like eating healthy food and avoiding junk ones, and improving physical health by regular walk and exercise. Bariatric surgery involves operating to make specific alterations in your digestive system to help you lose weight.

How Does Bariatric Surgery Work?

Types of Surgery

The types of bariatric surgery depend upon the way it is performed. There are two ways mainly; Sleeve gastrectomy and Gastric bypass surgery, the former being more commonly performed. In sleeve gastrectomy, the surgeon staples the stomach vertically to create a sleeve, and a large curved part of the stomach is removed. This decreases the storage capacity of the stomach and makes it banana-shaped, hence the name sleeve gastrectomy. In gastric bypass surgery, as the name indicates, a separate small pouch is created where the food enters, instead of going to the stomach. The pouch then opens in the more distal part of the intestine. It is hence bypassing the normal tract from the stomach to the duodenum to the small intestine. Both these procedures produce hormonal changes that prevent the secretion of hunger hormones and limit food intake.

Benefits of Bariatric Surgery for Obesity

Following are some worth mentioning benefits of bariatric surgery:

Treating Obesity

Although there are several ways of losing and maintaining weight, and many people have been successful in doing so, there is not one that is both long-term and effective like bariatric surgery. By altering your hormones, the surgery allows you to lose weight gradually, without causing rapid changes that may be harmful to you. Post-operatively, you may need to follow a healthy diet like before, but the results are much more promising than other methods.

Remission of type 2 Diabetes

Obesity is the most threatening risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is a foremost cause of kidney failure, non-traumatic lower-limb amputations, and blindness at a younger age. It is related to an increased risk of stroke, heart disease, hypertension, kidney disease, and pregnancy complications. With bariatric surgery, when the risk factor for obesity is eliminated, there is a significant improvement in diabetes. Some patients may even get rid of their oral medications and insulin. With the remission of diabetes, other complications can also be avoided.

Cardiovascular Improvement

Obesity is a cause of the metabolic syndrome associated with increased free fatty acids in the body. These fatty acids can deposit over the vessel’s walls and block the target organ’s blood supply. This can lead to an amplified risk of heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. After the treatment with bariatric surgery and significant weight loss, cardiovascular risk factors are eliminated. There is an improvement in blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and eventually, one’s well-being.

Relief of Joint pain

As in obesity, excess weight can put extra load over the lower limb joints, especially the knee joint, and make walking and running difficult. The patient may also suffer from chronic pain and joint damage. This problem is mostly overcome after bariatric surgery, as with significant weight loss, one can prevent further joint damage. There may also be no need to use pain medications.

Improved fertility

Subfertility is a matter of concern for every young lady who wants to conceive. Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a clinical condition of irregular periods or periods, decreased fertility rate, obesity, excess hair growth, and acne. Obesity causes insulin resistance and excess androgen production, which increases the time to get pregnant. That’s why weight loss is the first prioritized treatment. With bariatric surgery, this condition can be managed effectively.

Treating liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a clinical condition strongly associated with morbid obesity. The fatty liver disease leads to inflammation of the liver cells. This decreases the liver’s ability to function. The general approach in the treatment and prevention of this condition is lifestyle modification and weight loss. Bariatric surgery ensures weight loss and slows down or reverses the progression of damage to the liver cells.

Relief of depression

Where obesity is a reason for numerous adverse physical effects on a person’s health, one may suffer many psychological and social effects. An obese person is more likely to undergo social anxiety and depression. Society does not readily accept such a person. He has a low level of confidence and self-esteem due to his physical appearance. He may suffer from public mocking. That’s why such a person usually avoids going to social gatherings and meeting new people because he fears being judged harshly. Depression associated with obesity is easily preventable. Bariatric surgery plays a vital role in improving one’s physical appearance and making one a self-confident and satisfied individual.

SUMMARY 

Obesity, being a significant factor for morbidity and mortality, can be successfully treated by bariatric surgery. Also, of overcoming obesity, the patient gets rid of metabolic syndrome, which only disturbs the whole-body physiology. Surgery enables a long-term cure for the patient, hence helping him to improve his lifestyle and habits to live a fit and happy life.

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  • Dehli walay

    It’s a well orianted article for the medicos and non medicos who are new to this topic

    April 5, 2021 07:04
    reply
  • Dehli walay

    A great read

    April 5, 2021 07:04
    reply
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