Friday October 23, 12:01

All about obesity surgery before the operation

Each year thousands of people undergo surgery called "bariatric" in the fight against obesity through a narrowing of the stomach.

While this kind of surgery has been known for ten years, a major anxiety about the gastric aftereffects exists. Patients should be aware of the risks, benefits and restriction resulting from these techniques.

Many people think they can lose a few pounds thanks to the intervention, but they should know that it actually is intended for certain categories of obesity, as well as about the risk of significant complication.

However, performed by expert hands, bariatric surgery in obese patients who meet specific criteria may allow, according to studies, losing much of their excess weight and improve cardiac function, breathing and mobility.

Obesity is a chronic disease that can threaten health, cause diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea. The surgery helps obese people lose weight and control these diseases, but they must be ready for the need of regular monitoring.

But the surgery by itself does not mean losing weight. It is effective only if the patients change their eating habits, increase physical activity etc. One must also know that surgery can cause complications and difficulties, nutritional deficiencies, problems related to changing body image. Finally, the mortality associated with obesity surgery is not zero. Nevertheless, it remains less than or equal to 1%.

In addition, this type of intervention is open only to people truly obese, that is to say having a body mass index above 35-40 and only in case of complications (diabetes, hypertension etc.) and to those who have also already unsuccessfully tried to lose weight through appropriate care.

This surgery changes the anatomy of the digestive system, but sometimes it leads to metabolic reduce of the amount of food consumed. It can be a ring, or reducing the size of the stomach, or even making a short circuit of stomach.

The operation is performed under general anesthesia, most often by laparoscopy. This technique is recommended because it limits the pain and can help the patient return to normal activities more quickly. In some cases, during surgery, for security reasons, it is sometimes necessary to open the abdomen. The duration of hospitalization varies from 2 to 10 days, it can be extended in case of complications.

For most people after the surgery, the weight loss is rapid within the first few months, then it slows. In addition, a moderate weight gain is possible. Furthermore, diseases associated with obesity regress or improve conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. However, new eating habits must be taken for life as well as the practice of adapted physical exercises.

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