A COMPLETE GUIDANCE TO WEIGHT-LOSS SURGERY FROM THE BEST BARIATRIC SURGEON IN PUNE
OBESITY, more than being a condition of being overweight or grossly fat, is a state of degradation of a person’s physical, physiological & emotional health
& wellbeing. It is associated with serious health problems like cardiovascular disorders, musculoskeletal disorders like osteoarthritis, and in some cases, it also leads to certain types of cancers. According to the WHO, the obesity rates have nearly tripled in the 4 decades between 1975-2015 and about 15% of the world population is obese. Obesity leads to the fatality of about 2.8 million people every year.
But, as said by Dr C. Everett Koop, “Except for smoking, obesity is now the number one preventable cause of death in the world.” Medical sciences & technology have come up with various ways to prevent and combat obesity. Bariatric surgeries or obesity surgeries happen to be a breakthrough in this regard.
WHAT IS BARIATRIC SURGERY?
Bariatric surgery (or weight-loss surgery, as it is commonly called) is a metabolic surgery which is performed on people with morbid obesity (having a BMI>32.5) by making some metabolic changes to the digestive system. It uses laparoscopic or minimally invasive techniques and helps cure and combat diabetes, obesity & metabolism issues (Diabesity). It helps a person lose weight through surgical procedures performed on the stomach or the intestine, which would reduce the appetite or eating capacity of a person. There are various types of procedures included in the bariatric main-head, like gastric by-pass, sleeve gastrectomy, duodenal switch etc. Various weight-loss surgical centres across the country specially cater to the discipline of Bariatrics.
WHO CAN UNDERGO A BARIATRIC SURGERY?
Not every person facing weight issues can undergo bariatric surgery. Obese people with a BMI greater than 40 are primarily considered for weight-loss surgery. However, people having morbid obesity (BMI 32-39), and facing severe obesity-related health issues like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, sleep apnoea, osteoarthritis etc. also undergo bariatric surgeries to cure these obesity-related ailments. In addition to these physical conditions, a person willing to undergo weight-loss surgery must also be willing to showcase major lifestyle changes post-surgery and adopt a nutritional diet. He should be conscious and monitor his eating habits and workout in order to sustain the results of the surgery.
PREP-WORK FOR BARIATRIC SURGERY:
The person who is physically & mentally eligible for bariatric surgery and consents to undergo one is prepared for the surgery by the health centre. The weight-loss surgical centres provide the patients with a set of instructions to follow before and after the surgery is performed. They might also be asked to undergo various lab tests to ascertain eligibility for the surgery. Restrictions are laid down on the eating and drinking habits of the patient before and after the surgery. The patient necessarily refrains from the consumption of tobacco, alcohol and all forms of substance abuse.
UNDERGOING THE PROCEDURE OF THE SURGERY:
The patient is put on general anaesthesia before the surgery, which means that the surgery is performed under the condition of unconsciousness of the patient.
Conventionally, the surgeons used to make long, deep and open incisions in the abdominal area of the patient for the ease of operating. However, today, bariatric surgeries are performed using laparoscopic or minimally invasive techniques. A long tubular apparatus with a camera at the end is inserted in the abdominal region of the patient so that the surgeon can operate with ease without having to make long and deep incisions.
After the procedure is completed successfully, the patient is transferred to the ward and examined for complications after he gains consciousness.
POST SURGERY CARE:
The patient is advised to take intensive care after the surgery to avoid any and all sorts of complications. Apart from this, he is advised to be on a strictly liquid and fluid diet for a few weeks after the surgery. Gradually he is made to transit to semi-solid and soft food and eventually takes up the routine of consuming regular, solid foodstuffs.
However, it is imperative to be conscious of eating healthy & nutritious in order to maintain weight-loss. It is imperative for the patient to sustain a healthy lifestyle and engaging in routine workouts post his surgery.
BENEFITS OF BARIATRIC SURGERIES:
Bariatric Surgeries yield multiple benefits beyond combating obesity & facilitating weight-loss. They cure all obesity-related ailments like diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnoea, osteoarthritis etc. In addition to this, the surgery also eliminates body-image issues in a person and enhances self-confidence. It is known to reduce depression & increase motivation and inspiration. All in all, weight-loss surgery is the key to an unparalleled healthy & happy transformation in a person\’s life.