Bariatric Surgery: A Beacon of Light for the Morbidly Obese

by

Rachel Kurien

Bariatric surgery includes a variety of procedures which are performed on people who are obese. The collective name for all the procedures that are performed with the objective of losing weight is Bariatric surgery. The US National Institute of Health recommends this surgery for people who have a body mass index of and 40 and a serious related co morbidity such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.

Obesity has become a health problem worldwide and has almost become an epidemic in the West. It has proven to be a major risk factor for many diseases and usually comes with mortality and morbidity risks. It offers a solution to people who are dangerously obese for the purpose of losing those excess kilos. The weight loss is usually achieved by decreasing the size of the stomach with an implanted medical device or removal of a portion of the stomach or by re-routing the intestines to a smaller pouch.

There are certain eligibility criteria for patients undergoing this surgery, in addition to being severely obese these people also have o show failed attempts at losing weight the natural way. Bariatric surgery can bring in drastic changes to your life akin to having your first baby or getting married. Patients have to get accustomed to changes such as strict alteration to their diet and eating habits.

Studies have shown that the surgery is highly effective in curing obesity and obesity related ailments. It quickly gets rid of body fat and also significantly brings down diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and hypertension. However this surgery is not an easy option for obese patients as it requires a patient to make sacrifices and enormous changes afterwards such as diet that is highly controlled and daily, rigorous exercise.

The three different types of weight loss surgeries are gastric band wherein an adjustable band is tightly wrapped around the stomach, a gastric sleeve surgery wherein the stomach is carved to resemble a banana and the production of the hormone Ghrelin is inhibited and a gastric bypass surgery where the stomach is reduced to a smaller size and the intestines are rerouted.

In order to get the maximum benefits out of a bariatric surgery patients have to stick to a lifelong plan afterwards that will avoid putting on weight and acquiring lifelong complications. Post surgery, patients might have to choose a plastic surgery to contour their bodies and get rid of the loose skin.

This article describes the necessity and advantages of a

bariatric surgery

for morbidly obese patients.

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ArticleRich.com