Is Weight Loss Surgery an Option for Me?
Is Weight Loss Surgery an Option for Me?
Written by Andrea Wickstrom, BSN, RN
Bariatrics is a medical specialty in the treatment of obesity. A bariatric doctor may use surgery as one of many options to help patients lose weight.
Bariatric surgery, commonly known as weight-loss surgery, has become an increasingly popular choice for patients with significant weight loss needs and those who have not been successful with more traditional attempts, such as diet, exercise, or medical management.
How does weight-loss surgery work?
Multiple methods can be used to manipulate the stomach and intestines, which handles digesting food and absorbing nutrients (including calories).
Part of the surgical approach is to restrict or cut away much of the stomach and create a significantly smaller food pouch.
Another technique is to re-route and bypass the small intestine, severely reducing calorie absorption.
These physical changes may also affect hormonal cravings, appetite, and feeling sick after eating fatty and high-sugar foods.
Both approaches, done separately or in combination, can cause drastic weight loss.
What are the types of weight loss surgeries?
Over time, the types of bariatric surgeries have evolved and become less invasive.
Often the selected procedure can be done laparoscopically (making multiple small incisions in the abdomen and using thin instruments and scopes). This approach usually has a reduced recovery time. However, depending on the severity of obesity, one larger open incision may be required.
Currently performed procedures are:
- Adjustable gastric band (Lap Band) An inflatable band is placed around the upper part of the stomach to create a small pouch. It has an accessible port under the skin for multiple restriction adjustments.
- Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (Gastric Sleeve) The outer curve of the stomach is cut away and left with a narrow tube or sleeve-like shape.
- Roux-en-Y (Gastric Bypass) Part of the stomach is stapled into a smaller pouch. Then the small intestine is re-routed to the new pouch and the lower intestinal tract.
- Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (Mixed surgery) Comparable to combining the gastric sleeve with the Roux-en-Y. This type of procedure is seldom used and reserved for patients with the most severe obesity due to severe nutrient deficiencies.
How do I start the process?
First, you will need to talk with your doctor. Many healthcare organizations have dedicated clinics with specially trained staff to aid in the weight loss journey.
There are many steps to complete beforehand, including visits to a dietician, psychologist, and physical therapist, to name a few.
Pre-operative testing may include heart, intestinal, and liver scans.
Smokers will need to quit at least six weeks before surgery. If you have diabetes, the bariatric doctor will want to get your blood glucose levels under control first to improve postoperative healing.
Who qualifies for surgery?
Many insurance companies and bariatric clinics have specific criteria for individuals to meet before qualifying for surgery. These criteria may include
- numerous failed weight loss attempts
- a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher (this number is a calculation based on your height and weight)
- a BMI above 35 with a secondary condition related to obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, or elevated cholesterol
- a medically supervised weight loss attempt
A bariatric surgeon may also deny your request for surgery if you
- have an uncontrolled mental health disorder
- abuse drugs or alcohol
- are high risk for complications
- are unable to follow lifelong nutritional supplement requirements
What are the benefits of surgery?
Bariatric surgery is the most beneficial treatment for people with severe obesity and has the best long-term results.
However, surgery has many purposes, not just weight loss.
The goal is to improve overall health.
As a person begins to lose weight, secondary diseases often improve or resolve. Symptoms of asthma, joint and muscle pain, sleep apnea, and acid reflux will also likely be reduced.
Many patients experience an improved quality of life.
What are the risks and potential complications?
No surgery is without risks and possible complications.
Your bariatric surgeon will discuss all the surgical risks with you during the consultation. Potential postoperative complications include:
- staple leaks
- bleeding
- blood clots
- infection
- blockages
What happens after surgery?
After surgery, your diet will be restricted and advanced slowly over the following months.
The bariatric team will guide you in returning to activities and exercise.
Support groups can help you through your weight loss journey and help you maintain your lifelong healthy lifestyle habits.
Lifelong follow-up with the bariatric team is crucial for long-term success.
Is surgery right for me?
Many traditional and medical approaches to weight loss can be successful. But if you need to lose a significant amount of weight and cannot achieve it without surgical intervention, bariatric surgery may be one more tool in your weight-loss toolbox to accomplish your health goals.
Sources
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/bariatric-surgery/about/pac-20394258
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/bariatric-surgery/definition-facts
https://medlineplus.gov/weightlosssurgery.html
Bio: Andrea Wickstrom has been an RN for over twenty years. Most of her experience has been cardiology related in the hospital setting (bedside and stress testing), but she also has worked in homecare, the cardiac medical device industry, and school settings. She also has a heart for people struggling with unsuccessful weight loss and finding hope in bariatric surgery.
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-wickstrom-rn-one-up-nurse-write
Thank you for reading Patient Education Essentials, the Write Shift RN blog.
Disclaimer: This article was written as a guest post for Write Shift RN LLC's blog. The information in it may not be wholly fact-checked or edited, allowing the reader to see the writer's work and skills firsthand. This information is not intended as medical advice. It is for informational and educational purposes only. Always talk to your doctor or other qualified healthcare providers about any questions or concerns you may have regarding medical conditions.
Over 15 years of experience with the language of medicine, RN2Writer graduate, and a certificate of completion from the General Proofreading: Theory and Practice course from Proofread Anywhere.