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If you haven’t heard about bariatric surgery before, chances are you might be skeptical about the procedure. Being a bona fide medical professional, Dr. Amjad Saeed believes in educating the general public, and his patients on key health matters, including any questions they might have on Bariatric Surgery/ Weight Loss Surgery. Answered below are some of the most common questions anyone might have regarding the procedure:

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Am I eligible for bariatric surgery?

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If you have a BMI of over 30, and suffer from daily routine limitations due to excess fat in your body, then you are well and truly eligible for bariatric surgery.

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How will bariatric surgery help me lose weight?

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Bariatric surgery works in two ways; it can either reduce the size of your stomach, or it can create a surgical bypass. The first approach results in higher satiety (fullness after a meal) and a reduced food intake, while the second approach means that only a limited portion of the food will be absorbed in the intestine. What approach a surgeon might take depends on the patient’s profile. Either way, both methods have been shown to markedly reduce weight in obese patients.

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What is laparoscopic surgery?

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This is a relatively new surgical approach in which the surgery is performed using small cameras and special surgical instruments. The cameras are inserted into the body of the patient through tiny holes; therefore, the procedure is minimally invasive and there are no unsightly scars. Other advantages of this approach include:

1. It is relatively painless

2. Better cosmetic healing

3. Better surgical healing

4. Fewer risk of complications

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Is the procedure painful?

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Laparoscopic bariatric surgery is known to cause minimal pain to the patient, by virtue of it being laparoscopic, and the fact that the incision is small. With that being said, discomfort is an inevitable aspect of surgery and patients might feel pain at the site of incision, that can be well controlled with pain killers.

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How long does the procedure take?

Bariatric surgery is a relatively short procedure, with gastric sleeve surgery taking 1-2 hours on average, while bypass surgery usually takes 2-3 hours.

 

How long will I have to stay in the hospital following the surgery?

 

The average stay for uncomplicated cases ranges from 2-5 days, and patients who have laparoscopic surgery are usually up and walking in a short time.

 

How much weight will I lose following the surgery?

 

Bariatric surgery has been documented to yield excellent results. Research has shown that obese patients may lose up to 50% of their extra weight in the first 6 months following surgery, and up to 75% of their weight within 12 months. There is a reason why the procedure is commonly referred to as ‘Weight Loss Surgery’!

 

What are the risks of bariatric surgery?

 

Even the safest of surgeries carry risks of complications. In the case of bariatric surgery, these include acid reflux, anesthesia related complications, infection, nausea, and formation of ulcers. However, despite these risks, bariatric surgery is regarded as one of the safest elective procedures currently available.

 

Is the procedure safe for diabetics?

 

Yes, bariatric surgery has not only been proven to be safe for obese patients with diabetes, but by causing enhanced glycemic (sugar) control, and improving insulin sensitivity, bariatric surgery can potentially treat type 2 diabetes mellitus.

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What are some of the other benefits of bariatric surgery?

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Apart from helping obese patients lose weight, bariatric surgery can provide the following benefits:

1. Improved fertility

2. Reduced risk of cardiovascular events such as heart failure

3. Improved joint pain

4. Relieve depression and improve mental health

5. Treat type 2 diabetes mellitus

6. Treat obstructive sleep apnea

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These questions summarize the main aspects of bariatric surgery. In case of any further questions please reach out to us.