OBESITY

Surgical treatment of obesity: which intervention for which case?

To be obese is to have superfluous kilos which are essentially made up of fat. Indeed, obesity results in an imbalance between the quantity of fat and muscle in the body. Health specialists around the world use the Body Mass Index (BMI) to define a person's degree of obesity. Obesity should not be confused with overweight. A BMI greater than 30 is synonymous with obesity. And when it is over 40, it is called morbid obesity. The treatment of obesity varies according to the complications caused by excess fat. Surgery is one of the last options available to patients. And in what follows, we will review the major surgical interventions against obesity.

When is obesity surgery prescribed?

Obesity is managed on a case-by-case basis. In fact, each person suffering from this pathology does not have the same state of health. As a result, the risks and complications are different from one person to another. In any case, when the life of the obese person is at risk, doctors always recommend obesity surgery. Obesity surgery is the combination of all existing surgical techniques that can be used to treat severe obesity. However, you must remember that surgery is a solution that is practiced in an exceptional way because of its psychological consequences which can be very important.

The indications for obesity surgery are as follows:

Note that the principle of this type of intervention is to reduce the patient's calorie absorption. However, a surgical operation can only be scheduled after consultation with various specialists. Such is the case of the nutritionist, the gastroenterologist, the anesthetist, the digestive surgeon, and especially the psychiatrist.

Contraindications to this type of surgery 

As with all other types of obesity treatment, surgery is not free of contraindications. These include: alcoholism, psychological problems such as depression, damage to the digestive  tract, an inability to perform regular follow-up, and a health problem that can be aggravated with general anaesthesia. General anaesthesia must be chosen because this type of surgery is considered cumbersome. As far as post-operative follow-up is concerned, it is strongly recommended that four consultations be carried out during the year following the operation. Thereafter, consultations are done once or twice a year.

The main surgical interventions in cases of obesity 

Various consultations with various specialists are necessary to find out if you can have surgery to treat your obesity. Here again, the choice must be made more judiciously, as the procedures are diversified. Indeed, some operations are reversible while others are not. Among the surgical treatments for obesity that are available, find out below about the most common ones.

Gastric bypass

Probably one of the most popular surgeries, gastric bypass is a procedure in which the stomach is divided into two compartments along its entire length. In this way, the stomach can no longer absorb fat. At the end of the operation, a new gastric pouch is created. In other words, the operation can be likened to a gastric short circuit. This solution is reversible. However, it should be noted that the probable long-term consequences of gastric bypass are anastomotic ulcers or intestinal occlusions.

The gastric balloon

It is also a reversible solution. The gastric balloon is a device that can be used to change the obese person's eating habits. This surgical solution is indicated for patients who have had difficulty losing weight despite rigorous medical support.

Tubular gastrectomy

This surgery is irreversible. Tubular gastrectomy is the removal of a fairly large part of the stomach. At the end of the operation, only a long narrow tube of about 100 ml is left. This operation helps the obese patient to restrict the amount of food he or she can eat. At the same time, it acts by reducing the production of ghrelin, a hormone responsible for regulating the feeling of hunger and satiety. This surgical operation is quite radical, but it is one of the most effective. However, it can result in vitamin deficiency.

Ring Gastroplasty

This procedure is also commonly known as "gastric banding". It is a completely reversible operation. In addition, gastric banding is the least risky of all the procedures listed in this article. It consists of dividing the stomach into two compartments by installing a flexible band. The narrow passage between the two compartments makes it possible to restrict the amount of food ingested. A small disadvantage of gastric banding is that it can cause the patient to vomit.

As you will have understood, when it comes to the surgical treatment of obesity, there are many choices. The choice is only made on a case-by-case basis and according to the patient's expectations.