Bariatric surgeries, or weight loss surgeries, are one of the most effective methods for treating severe obesity. For the past few decades, these procedures have been refined and carried out with remarkable outcomes. Yet, many experts suggest that they are severely underutilized, and many who could have benefitted from these procedures continue to suffer. Fortunately, those who seek these procedures are steadily increasing as the data continues to prove how valuable it is.
Out of the different options available, weightloss through gastric bypass surgery is one of the most commonly performed bariatric procedures. Because of its high success rates and effectiveness in curbing many major diseases that come with obesity, many doctors strongly encourage those who are suitable to consider this option.
Gastric bypass, also known as Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB), involves two steps: firstly, the stomach is segregated into two sections such that a smaller “pouch” is being created at the top. This means that less food can be stored, and the body feels fuller after eating less. Then, a section of the small intestine is branched out and attached to that smaller pouch. In this way, the food bypasses the rest of the stomach and part of the small intestine, which means lesser food is being absorbed into the bloodstream. These two mechanisms work together to achieve a drastic drop in body weight post-surgery.
Effective, Reliable, and Long-Lasting
Among the several weight loss surgeries available, gastric bypass is largely considered to be the most effective. Patients typically experience the most significant improvements in the first one to two year period following the surgery. Studies show that the excess weight in obese patients can fall by up to 30 to 50 percent within the first half a year after surgery, and up to 77 percent in the first year after surgery. In some cases, continuous rapid weight loss can be observed for up to two years.
Unlike procedures like the gastric band, this procedure is an irreversible one and provides long-lasting results. Long-term studies on patients who underwent gastric bypasses revealed that most of them continued to keep their levels of excess weight loss at between 50 to 60 percent even after ten years.
Apart from having a direct impact on obesity through weight loss, such surgeries can also increase a patient’s life expectancy. Those who suffer from obesity tend to have a lower life expectancy, especially those with complicated health conditions. The gastric bypass procedure has been shown to increase the median life-expectancy of obese people by around 5 years.
In addition, bariatric procedures are currently one of the most powerful tools available to treat diseases that are related to obesity. They play an invaluable role in treating life-threatening diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure, and also effectively solves other uncomfortable symptoms caused by obesity like body aches, acid reflux, and sleep apnea. According to a recent report published in 2021, bariatric surgeries were responsible for lowering almost 60 percent of mortality amongst obese diabetic adults.
Quick and Safe
Bariatric surgeries are also considered pretty low-risk, depending on the patient’s condition. Of course, there exists the common risks that come with any surgery, such as infections and haemorrhage, but the mortality rates and risk of complications arising immediately after the surgery are usually quite low. In a successful operation, patients can expect to leave the hospital in less than three days.
Gastric bypass procedures offer both open surgery and keyhole surgery, of which keyhole surgery has a faster recovery period and a lower chance of getting an infection. In rare cases, complications unique to this procedure like leakage, ulcers and strictures around the operated area could occur, requiring extra procedures. Other complications such as dumping syndrome and malnutrition can be tackled by changing lifestyle habits to adapt to the new digestive system.
The success and safety of these procedures are further enhanced by the extensive screening process that patients have to go through to be eligible for these operations. Patients have to meet a minimum BMI of 40, and have had previously tried other methods of weight loss without success. Those who smoke, have psychological issues, or for any reason is deemed incapable of post-operation care will also not be allowed to take these surgeries.
Exciting Research Prospects
Even though bariatric procedures have been extensively studied and refined over the years, scientists continue to explore more possibilities. One such study investigates the topic of how weight loss surgeries like the gastric bypass affects the function of brown adipose tissue in the body. Brown adipose tissue mainly activates when the body feels cold. It starts to generate heat to keep the body warm by breaking down excess fat in the body. Thus, the paper explores the possibility of bypass surgery triggering this function of brown adipose tissue, that in turn would contribute to weight loss as well.