More than 300 million adults worldwide are obese, as can be seen after a survey conducted in mid-2022. Obesity plays an active role in the development of various acute and chronic health problems and fatal diseases. As a result, patients who do not want to experience such problems but live with obesity should definitely advance this process with a physician and dietitian in order to reach their ideal weight.
Obesity is a condition in which the amount of fat mass in the human body is excessively high compared to bone, muscle, water and other components. This is a disease that can be prevented and treated by changing weight loss diets and lifestyle, eating and drinking habits.
In people with severe obesity, surgical applications such as tube stomach, stomach reduction, gastric bypass can be applied with the advice of a doctor in order to prevent serious complications and to regain the ideal weight of the person.
WHAT IS OBESITY SURGERY?
This surgical method, which is most commonly called stomach reduction surgery, is a closed type of surgery applied with advancing technology. Since these surgeries will be performed through millimeter-level holes instead of large incisions to be made in the abdomen of the person, patients can overcome the process with mild pain and be discharged within a few days, and return to work within 4-5 days.
HOW IS THE OBESITY SURGERY METHOD DECIDED?
The surgical method to be used will be determined by the surgical team according to the patient’s condition and characteristics. In general, sleeve gastrectomy surgery is preferred in the majority of patients.
In some patients with excess weight, preoperative gastric balloon application can be performed, so that the patient can lose weight even a small amount before the operation. In this process, psychologists and dietitians are also included in the team that will continue the surgical process, and operations are carried out with a joint decision, helping this process to progress more healthily.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF OBESITY SURGERY?
Chronic diarrhea, intestinal entanglement and ulceration can be seen in 5% of patients after bypass operations that impair nutrient absorption. The other type, strictures that occur during restrictive surgeries, can cause nausea and vomiting. Leakage and bleeding from the staple lines separating the stomach in the first week is a rare complication. In these cases, endoscopic or re-closed correction may be required.
WHAT ARE THE DISEASES CAUSED BY OBESITY?
It has been shown that obesity surgery reduces the mortality rate in obesity-related diseases such as cancer, stroke, heart attack, and liver problems. Obesity causes the development and progression of the following diseases:
- Hypertension
- coronary artery
- metabolic syndrome
- type 2 diabetes
- Insulin Resistance, Hyperinsulinemia
- dyslipidemia
- breast cancer
- Colon cancer
- rectal cancer
- Uterine cancer
- Biliary tract cancer
- ovarian cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Sleep apnea
- Asthma
- difficulty breathing
- Reflux
- skin infections
- polycystic ovary
- anorexia neurosis
- bulimia neurosis
- Night Eating Syndrome
- Pregnancy Issues
- menstrual irregularities
- Excessive Hair Growth
CAN I HAVE OBESITY SURGERY FOR EVERY WEIGHT PERSON?
There are some criteria for having obesity surgery. Height and weight index is the most important of these criteria. 20-25 BMI is considered ideal. For sleeve gastrectomy surgery, the patient’s BMI should be at least more than 30. Obesity surgery can arrange more than 40 surgeries for people with chronic diseases.
ARE OBESITY SURGERIES RISKY?
As in all surgeries, there are risks in bariatric surgery, and the risk is considerably reduced if preoperative preparations and what needs to be done are done. In this respect, it is very important for the patient to adapt to the surgical team.
IS THE PROCESS AFTER OBESITY SURGERY IS PAINFUL?
Like all other surgeries, it is a painful surgery and it is impossible to argue otherwise. With the painkillers given and the treatments applied when deemed necessary, you will be able to get through this process in the most comfortable way.
AFTER OBESITY SURGERY, IS THERE A SCAR?
Since obesity surgeries are performed closed, the incision scars are minimal and invisible. So the probability of scarring is very low.
CAN I REPEAT OBESITY SURGERY?
Obesity operations are designed to be done only once and this is targeted. However, if the patient’s eating habits have returned to the way they were before the operation, the eating habits are tried to be changed with psychological support and the operation can be performed again after 1-1,5 years.
IS IT HARMFUL TO HAVE OBESITY SURGERY?
In the long run, some negative situations may be encountered. After these operations, deficiencies in some stomach functions, iron absorption problems and vitamin B12 deficiency can be seen. These should be followed and supported for the rest of the person’s life.
SHOULD I START SPORTING ACTIVITIES AFTER THE SURGERY?
Light exercises and walks are recommended, provided that you avoid exercises that require a lot of physical activity in the first two months. This will also positively support the digestive system.
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