Most of us wanted to lose weight at least once in our lives. Overweight, overweight, obesity, whatever you call it, are the side effects of a civilization that burst into our lives at the turn of the 20th and 19th centuries.
Changing the nature of food, the abundance of fast food, low physical activity adversely affect our health. When all attempts to get rid of extra pounds are futile, and medications and diets do not bring results, bariatric surgeons will help to cope with this problem.
What is obesity surgery
The only method of weight loss that gives a long-term and guaranteed result is obesity surgery. Its essence is to reduce the volume of the stomach and accelerate the movement of food along the gastrointestinal tract, as a result of which a person is saturated with less food.
Who needs surgery
The operation is necessary for people with overweight. To understand that your weight does not really correspond to height, weight loss surgery Los Angeles helps you calculate the body mass index (BMI). To do this, you need to divide your weight in kilograms twice by your height in meters. For example, your weight is 150 kg and your height is 1.7 m.
BMI = 150/1.7 2 = 51.9 kg/m²
Surgery is usually prescribed for people with a BMI above 40 kg/m². And if there are concomitant diseases – hypertension, diabetes mellitus, joint damage, then the operation is carried out with a BMI of 30-35 kg/m². In any case, the decision on the need for surgery to reduce excess weight and its methodology is made only by a doctor. Therefore, after calculating the body mass index, sign up for a consultation with a surgeon . At the appointment, the doctor will answer all your questions and tell you what results to expect after the operation.
With different types of obesity, the following types of surgical interventions are effective:
Longitudinal gastrectomy
During surgery, the doctor removes that part of the stomach in which the hunger hormone, ghrelin, is produced. After surgery, the volume of the stomach decreases, the patient’s appetite decreases and therefore the feeling of fullness comes faster. Longitudinal resection of the stomach is performed in two ways: by the abdominal and laparoscopic methods. Laparoscopic resection is performed through small punctures in the abdominal cavity, and the next day after the operation, the patient moves independently and does not experience pain. During abdominal surgery, the surgeon reduces the volume of the stomach through an incision in the abdominal wall. After the operation, doctors recommend staying in the hospital ward for 5 days.
Gastroshunting
This method of weight loss is suitable for patients with severe obesity. During the operation, by suppressing the stomach in the upper part, the surgeon creates a “small stomach” with a volume of 20-50 ml. Then a loop of the small intestine is sutured to the “small stomach”. The operation is performed laparoscopically through small punctures in the abdominal wall. As a result, the amount of food consumed is reduced several times, and the ingestion of food in the small intestine already causes a feeling of fullness. The laparoscopic method of surgery reduces the rehabilitation period and allows you to quickly return to your previous lifestyle.
Biliopancreatic shunting (BPS)
This operation combines a decrease in the volume of the stomach and shunting – reconstruction of the small intestine to reduce the absorption of food. BPS is considered one of the most complex, but at the same time effective operations for the treatment of obesity. In 75% of cases, patients achieve the desired weight loss. In addition, the operation helps to cope with type 2 diabetes and normalize blood glucose levels. Already 3-4 weeks after the operation, the patient can eat without any restrictions.
After operation
Do not hope that when you wake up after anesthesia you will have a slim figure, because weight loss occurs gradually over a period of 6-12 months. After weight loss surgery, it is recommended that you take good care of your health and take the necessary preparations: vitamins, trace elements and complexes containing iron and calcium. In addition, periodic monitoring by a surgeon, gastroenterologist and endocrinologist may be required. After significant weight loss, patients may have excess and sagging skin. Plastic surgeons can perform body shaping at the Medassist medical center.