What is Bariatric Surgery?

Among the treatment available for the treatment of diabetes is weight loss surgery. Commonly called “metabolic and bariatric surgery”, they have been shown to be quite effective in assisting diabetes type 2 sufferers reverse diabetes or more generally control their blood sugar level. In fact one long term study tracking 400 people with type 2 diabetes, found that six years after bariatric surgery, 62% showed no signs of diabetes. Moreover, they also had better blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. 

When compared with the percentage of people choosing not to have surgery but rely on medicine alone-6% to 8%, it can be clearly seen that this form of treatment has clear advantages over others.

Nevertheless, Bariatric surgery is not a course of action one need rush into. Serious consideration by your doctor whether you are a suitable candidate for this type of surgery would rest on two critical factors. Namely 1, is your BMI (Body Mass Index) 35 or higher? 2. Have you tried to lose weight and keep it off without success?

A positive response on both these counts could mean that you are a candidate for such an operation. However to make sure that this is so, your doctor will perform a thorough check up and ask necessary questions aimed at helping him determine if you are physically and mentally ready for the operation and the changes it would necessitate. For instance your dietary intake will have to be greatly reduced. At the same time, you will have to make regular exercise part of your life forever.

So what are the types of Bariatric/weight loss surgeries? Well for one, we have Gastric bypass (also called Roux-en-Y gastric bypass). In this type of bariatric surgery, the surgeon by dividing the top of the stomach from the rest of it, makes a small stomach pouch. As such, when you eat, the food bypasses the top of the small intestine and goes directly into the small stomach pouch. This results in you getting filled up faster while at the same time fewer calories and nutrients are absorbed.

Apart from the cost of the surgery, associated drawbacks include a risk of death. In addition to that Nutritional deficiencies and osteoporosis are other long term complications one may equally experience following surgery.