Risks and rewards of bariatric surgery

Bariatric surgery, otherwise known as weight loss surgery, is an umbrella term referring to a broad range of possible surgeries for patients who are obese. Bariatric surgery is seen as a last resort for those who have tried all other conventional weight loss techniques, such as specialised diet plans, medication, exercise and more. When these techniques prove ineffective, bariatric surgery becomes a solution for many whose obesity becomes life-threatening.

Bariatric surgery achieves weight loss by reducing the size and capacity of the stomach with a gastric band, a surgically implemented restrictive measure used to shrink the stomach and prevent it from holding large portions of food and drink.

Alternatively, in bariatric surgery, a portion of the stomach is removed to make it smaller and the small intestine is rerouted to the smaller stomach.

As a result, the patient can physically no longer fit the same portion of food and drink inside their stomach. This causes a sudden and drastic reduction in kilojoule intake and gradually leads to the reduction of the patient’s appetite and also causes them to eat smaller meals more often, which increases the patient’s metabolism.

Reduced portions, paired with a healthy new diet plan, smaller and more regular meals and an exercise plan, all contribute to rapid weight loss.

Bariatric surgery also has the benefit of helping patients recover from diabetes, reducing their heart disease risk in particular and mortality risk in general, and giving patients more energy, and the ability to take part in activities and exercises that were formerly not possible due to being overweight.

Bariatric surgery does, however, come with certain risks. Rapid weightless can result in the development of gallstones as well as kidney weakness. However, risks connected to bariatric surgery are not likely if the surgeon and post-operation care are high quality.

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