Is bariatric surgery an option for you Learn about the types of weight loss operations, their conditions, the difference
between them.
Bariatric surgery is a variety of surgical procedures aimed at reducing weight for people who are excessively obese and
face health and psychological problems due to being overweight, especially if they cannot lose their excess weight by
other methods.
Bariatric surgery is not an option for everyone, it has certain conditions that must apply to you first to be considered
eligible for this procedure, the most important of which are:
1. That you have tried other ways to lose weight and failed.
2. To be obese or obese with other health problems caused by obesity.
3. Be physically and psychologically ready to undergo surgery.
4. Be prepared to follow postoperative instructions, including dietary and exercise guidelines, and follow-up
examinations after the operation.
The bariatric surgery process has many benefits, such as:
Generally, the results of most bariatric surgeries appear within the first one to two years of surgery, and the
majority of people notice a loss of 50-60% of their weight, and this percentage may increase or decrease
depending on the type of surgery you had and adherence to the instructions after the operation.
Bariatric surgery reduces the risk of death due to diseases caused by obesity such as diabetes, stress, heart
disease, cancer, and others by 30-50%.
Bariatric surgery contributes to improving the condition of people with chronic diseases caused by obesity, as it
stabilizes readings and stops the need to use medications by 92% for people with diabetes, 75% for people with
hypertension, 96% for people with obstructive sleep apnea, and also high rates for other obesity diseases.
There are several types of weight loss operations, varying in their degree of complexity. The more complicated the
surgical procedure adopted to lose weight, the greater and faster the expected weight loss after the operation, but this
may entail higher potential effects and risks of course.
Therefore, the choice between the types of bariatric surgery is most suitable for you in cooperation with your doctor,
after discussing the percentage of excess weight, and the possible side effects of each operation, and below we explain
the common types of bariatric surgery and the most important differences between them:
In this surgery, the surgeon creates a small pouch at the top of the stomach, and then connects it directly to the small
intestine, bypassing most of the stomach and about 1.5 meters from the small intestine, this leads to a reduction in the
size of the stomach and intestines involved in the process of digestion and absorption of food, thereby losing weight.
Gastric sleeve or gastric cutting, both terms express the same procedure, in the gastric sleeve operation, 80% of the
stomach is cut and removed to reduce its size, so it becomes in the form of a small banana or a small tube, which
reduces the amount of food eaten, and contributes to weight loss.
Gastric banding is a medical procedure in which the doctor uses a silicone collar to bind the upper part of the stomach,
which reduces the amount of food that reaches the stomach, and this procedure has been used less currently because
there are other more effective alternatives.
This operation is carried out in two steps: sleeve gastrectomy to remove 80% of it and then connect the remaining parts
of the stomach with the last part of the small intestine bypassing most of the small intestine, which reduces the size of
the stomach and intestines involved in the digestion and absorption of food significantly.
The percentage of weight lost after undergoing bariatric surgery may increase or decrease depending on your
compliance with the dietary instructions after the operation.
Most bariatric surgery is performed laparoscopically without the need for large incisions in the abdomen. This is done by
making small incisions, usually about 5-6 incisions, the size of one incision does not exceed 1-1.5 cm. These incisions are
used to insert special surgical instruments to successfully perform the operation.
Gastric balloon is a non-surgical method of treating obesity, and it is done by inserting a balloon inside the stomach
through gastroscopy through the mouth without any incisions in the body, and then filling this balloon with saline
solution, and this procedure is one of the temporary measures to lose weight, because the balloon leaves a period of
only 6 months in the stomach, and then it is removed to avoid any health risks.
Gastric balloon is a simpler procedure than surgery, and the percentage of weight loss after it is lower compared to
surgical methods, where patients usually lose 7-15% of weight within 6 months.
Bariatric surgery, like any surgical procedure, carries some risks, however, the risks of obesity are much greater than
the risks of bariatric surgeries for most patients, and if the instructions after surgery are followed and the lost weight is
maintained, most people will see a significant improvement in their health without the occurrence of health problems
worthy of concern, however, we should always take into account the presence of potential risks.
In general, the effects and risks can vary depending on the type of surgery and its complexity, as well as depending on
the person's general health condition, the extent to which he follows the postoperative instructions, and the skill of the
medical team, here are the most important effects and potential risks of bariatric surgery:
Although bariatric surgery achieves significant weight loss, it is not a definitive cure for obesity on its own, as a person
will need to make a set of permanent lifestyle changes to avoid gaining weight again.
An important instruction after bariatric surgery is the following:
The Department of bariatric surgery at Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital integrated medical care for patients suffering from
severe obesity problems at the hands of the most skilled specialists, and is carried out by evaluating the specialist for the
patient's situation and determining the most appropriate treatment method for him.
