The word “bariatric” is a term that comes from two Greek words that mean “weight” and “treatment”. Therefore, “bariatric surgery” can be defined as treating weight by surgery. The term “metabolic” was recently added to “bariatric surgery” because of the known and proven improvements seen in the metabolic profiles of patients undergoing bariatric surgery.
Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery
Obesity is a state where the body accumulates excess fat to the extent that the person’s health is affected. Based on the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) classification, a person with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of more than 30 is considered obese. Physically, obesity causes conditions that affect the functioning of all major body systems. It also involves a person’s mental health and psychosocial well-being. Patients with obesity tend to have a shorter life expectancy compared to a patient with average body weight and BMI.
For patients with a much higher BMI, interventions like diet modification, exercise therapy, and lifestyle modifications are less effective in achieving and maintaining long-term weight loss. Bariatric or metabolic surgery can be performed on the digestive system to help patients lose weight and improve medical conditions linked to obesity such as Type 2 Diabetes and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA).
Areas of Care/ Types of Condition
- Gastric sleeve (laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy)
Also known as the sleeve, Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.
The gastric sleeve process involves getting rid of the outer part of the stomach. What this helps in doing is drastically reducing the stomach’s capacity to store food thus curbing hunger signals as well. This makes it difficult for people to overeat as their stomach’s overall capacity to store food reduces by nearly 75-80 percent. - Gastric Bypass (Laparoscopic roux-en-y gastric bypass)
Considered to be the ‘gold standard of weight loss surgery – in a Gastric Bypass procedure – a small stomach gastric pouch is created by stapling the upper part of the stomach. This pouch is then attached to the small intestine to create a bypass. Food then bypasses most of the stomach, as well as the upper part of the small intestine, resulting in the body absorbing fewer calories and, in turn, gaining lesser weight.
A smaller pouch means the most substantial possible appetite suppression as the food intake would be restricted leading to less food being consumed. - Gastric Band (laparoscopic adjustable gastric band)
Gastric Band surgery - also known as adjustable gastric band surgery, – involves the placement of an inflatable band around the upper portion of the stomach. This, in turn, helps in creating a small gastric pouch above the band which restricts the passage of food thus filling you up quicker while consuming food items. The overall result is a feeling of fullness that lasts for a longer duration.
What techniques are used for metabolic and bariatric surgery?
The operations are the same and there are three surgical options that can be used depending on the individual case. These are either gastric band, gastric bypass, or sleeve gastrectomy.
Bariatric surgery encompasses metabolic surgery. Bariatric surgery is for all patients with a very high weight who need weight loss surgery. Metabolic surgery is used with the specific intent to address diabetes and metabolic dysfunctions that have failed to respond to lifestyle and medication changes as opposed to obesity per se.
Dr Sumit Talwar is dedicated to helping you achieve your weight loss goals with the very latest range in minimally-invasive surgical options and revisional procedures – so that you can finally maintain your ideal body weight.
Dr. Sumit Talwar, the best Bariatric and Metabolic Surgeon in Bangalore is ready to help you at every step of your journey toward a healthier life.
