General Surgeon
Bariatric surgery
Cardiovascular consultation is the most important aspect of medical treatment. It is an opportunity for patients to discuss about their cardiac problems, current complaints, understand the risks and complications, and to adopt healthy lifestyle habits.
Specialists:
Bariatric surgery is a term that refers to surgical procedures that assist in weight loss by making changes to the digestive system. The term “bariatric surgery” can be used to describe a variety of procedures, such as gastric bypass and other weight loss surgeries.
When do you need to see them?
Bariatric surgery is performed to help patients who are severely overweight lose excess weight in order to lower the risk of severe, life-threatening health problems, such as:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- High blood pressure
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
- Sleep apnea
- Type 2 diabetes
Keep in mind that bariatric surgery is not for everyone who is overweight. Certain medical criteria need to be met. It is typically suggested after other methods of weight loss, like changing diet and exercise, are unsuccessful.
What do they do?
Bariatric surgeries work in different ways, whether by restricting the amount of food a stomach can hold, reducing the body’s ability to absorb nutrients or a combination of the two. The most common types of bariatric surgery include gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, adjustable gastric band, and duodenal switch.
Gastric bypass: Gastric bypass surgery is one of the most common types of bariatric surgery. Simply put, there are two parts to the procedure. First, a small pouch is created in the top portion of the stomach, dividing it from the rest of the stomach. Then the first part of the small intestine is divided, and the bottom end of the small intestine is connected to the newly created small pouch in the stomach. Finally, the top portion of the divided small intestine is connected to the bottom of the small intestine, which changes the food stream and produces changes in gut hormones. This procedure both limits the amount of food the stomach can hold, as well as restricts the absorption of calories and nutrients.
Sleeve gastrectomy: Involves the removal of approximately 80% of the stomach. What is left is a tube-shaped pouch or a sleeve. Now that the stomach is smaller, it cannot hold as much food. It also reduces the production of the hormone ghrelin, which regulates the appetite.
Gastric band: The adjustable gastric band involves placing an inflatable band around the top portion of the stomach, which creates a smaller pouch above. Less food is able to be stored and patients achieve fullness faster. The band is reduced in size over time with repeated adjustments.
Duodenal switch: The Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS) has two parts to it, as well. First, a portion of the stomach is created to form a tube-shaped pouch (similar to sleeve gastrectomy). Second, a major portion of the small intestine is bypassed. What this does is restricts the amount of food the stomach can hold and promotes fullness faster. It also reduces the absorption of nutrients. It is a highly effective surgery, but it also involves greater risks, such as vitamin deficiencies or malnutrition.
Physician consultation is a good opportunity and you should be prepared for it.
- Carry all necessary medical records for the discussion. It helps in better understanding your heart condition and avoids repetition of diagnostic tests.
- Make sure you discuss your past medical history, surgical history, family history, and medications that you are taking.
- Discuss about your lifestyle habits, dietary habits and also about your profession. Your lifestyle and nature of job may be associated with the risk for cardiac diseases.