What are the 3 types of bariatric surgery?
In the United States, two primary weight loss (or bariatric) procedures are currently being performed. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy are the two most common procedures. Both of these surgeries have advantages and disadvantages and are great solutions for severe obesity. Your bariatric surgeon will help you determine which surgical procedure is right for you. In addition to these two procedures, Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch and Single Anastomosis Duodeno-Ileal Bypass with Sleeve Gastrectomy (SADI-S) are also weight loss surgery options. At Bay Bariatrics we specialize in gastric sleeve and gastric bypass surgery and will be adding SADI-S soon.
How much do you have to weigh to get bariatric surgery?
It depends. If you have obesity-related health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnea, arthritis, or others, you likely qualify for bariatric surgery if your body mass index (BMI) is 35 or greater. It is also possible to qualify if you weigh more than 100 pounds over your ideal body weight or have a BMI of 40 or more. Certain ethnic groups qualify at lower BMI numbers, so if you have additional questions, please make an appointment to discuss them with our team.
What are some other benefits of bariatric surgery?
Weight loss surgeries are not only about treating obesity. Bariatric surgery can also be very effective in treating type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnea, and high cholesterol, among many other diseases. These operations also have the ability to prevent future health problems and reduce your chance of dying from heart attacks, cancer, and diabetes. The benefits allow patients with obesity who choose to undergo treatment to enjoy a better quality of life and a longer lifespan.
Is bariatric surgery painful?
Weight loss surgery itself is not painful as you will be under general anesthesia and not feel anything during the procedure. If your weight loss procedure is laparoscopic surgery, you will have several small incisions rather than one large one. You may have discomfort at the incision site or as a result of how your body was positioned during the procedure. During laparoscopic surgery, gas is used to distend the abdomen of the patient to provide sufficient operating space. After the procedure is over the body reabsorbs the gas used during surgery, causing some patients to feel neck and shoulder pain. Today’s bariatric surgery procedures have been refined over many years and use minimally invasive techniques that result in less pain, shorter hospital stays, fewer complications, and a faster recovery. Gastric sleeve surgery is minimally invasive and pain during recovery should be relatively minimal.
At Bay Bariatrics we perform 99% or more of our operations minimally invasively using either laparoscopic or robotic techniques. Our average patient spends just one night in the hospital, and many of our patients actually go home the same day with minimal pain.
What is a bariatric diet?
Allowing your stomach to recover without being stretched by the food you consume is the goal of the gastric bypass diet. It is designed to get you in the habit of eating smaller portions of food that your smaller stomach can digest easily and safely after weight loss surgery. The gastric bypass diet will also assist you in losing weight and avoiding weight gain.
At Bay Bariatrics, we use common sense measures to get you eating regular and health foods as soon after surgery as it is safe. After the initial healing period, our patients enjoy the ability to eat all of the textures and types of food they enjoy, just in smaller, healthier amounts.
Does insurance pay for bariatric surgery?
At the present time, most personal insurance policies do not cover bariatric surgery. If weight loss surgery at a private clinic is the best option for you, there are a variety of financing options available. Bariatric surgery procedures deemed to be medically essential may also qualify for a federal medical tax credit. Your healthcare provider will help you understand the cost and payment options available for weight loss surgery.
Why can bariatric surgery be denied?
Because of financial issues, psychological concerns, and poor medical fitness for surgery, many people who seek weight-loss surgery are turned down. It is quite common for people to work towards resolving the problem that was the reason for denial and then be approved in the future for weight loss surgery.
At Bay Bariatrics we often perform surgery for patients who have been previously denied surgery by other programs. We take pride in offering this life-saving service to our patients and not placing unnecessary roadblocks in the path of patients who want to be healthy
What foods cannot be eaten after bariatric surgery?
There are eight foods to stay away from during the healing period from weight loss surgery: Alcohol, Dry Foods, Bread, Rice, Pasta, Fibrous Fruits and Vegetables, High-Fat Foods, Sugary, and Highly Caffeinated Drinks, and Tough Meats. Your surgeon will give you dietary advice, including a detailed list of what to eat and what to avoid after surgery. Following these guidelines will help you avoid complications after your weight loss surgery and aid in weight reduction.
What does metabolic and bariatric surgery mean?
Weight loss surgery is also known as metabolic and bariatric surgery. In order to reflect the impact of these operations on patients’ weight and the health of their metabolism, these terms are used together. The term metabolism refers to the breakdown of food into energy. Clinically severe obesity is treated through bariatric surgery, which is metabolic surgery.
What are the disadvantages of bariatric surgery?
There are some risks associated with bariatric surgery, such as acid reflux, chronic nausea and vomiting, dilation of the esophagus, inability to eat certain foods, obstruction of the stomach, infection, weight gain, or failure to lose weight. Many of these risks associated with surgery are also symptoms of being extremely obese. As with any operation, there is also a low risk of anesthesia-related complications. Most patients perceive their weight loss surgery as a huge success, with the benefits outweighing any challenges.
At Bay Bariatrics, our highly skilled surgeons use the most modern techniques and surgical devices to provide surgery that is as safe or safer than many other commonly performed procedures, such as knee replacement and gallbladder surgery. Major complications are 1% or less.
Is bariatric surgery reversible?
Yes, some types of bariatric surgery are reversible. For example, gastric bypass surgery can be reversed. However, reversing it would need another surgery of equal or greater scale than the original, and the same risks are involved. It is fairly uncommon for a patient to have their surgery reversed, but it is a possibility in many cases.
Why does Bay Bariatrics not use gastric band surgery?
Many people believe that the least invasive surgery for weight loss is the adjustable gastric band (also known as “Lap Band” or “Realize band”). The technique entails wrapping a soft silicone ring around the top of the stomach with an inflated balloon in the center. It basically divides the stomach into two halves, with the top section above the band being significantly smaller. Only enough food is consumed to fill the stomach’s upper portion. After a meal, the food flows through the opening in the adjustable gastric band into the rest of the stomach, and digestion continues normally through the small intestine.
Although short-term surgical complications are uncommon, new research shows a high long-term complication risk. Reoperation is required in 15 to 60% of patients due to implant malposition, erosion, recurrent vomiting, or weight reduction failure. Due to the increasing knowledge of higher long-term complications with the adjustable gastric band, our team of expert surgeons at Bay Bariatrics no longer places gastric bands. Our surgeons do offer band adjustment, gastric band removal, and revision surgery to convert bands to more durable and effective options. y. Simply put, there are better, more effective options for weight loss surgery than gastric banding. Call our office today to find out more.
What are some common medical conditions obesity puts people at risk for?
High blood pressure, diabetes, coronary artery disease, obstructive sleep apnea, high cholesterol, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, arthritis in the knees, hips, and ankles, polycystic ovarian syndrome, migraines, breast cancer, and colon cancer, are some of the most common medical conditions obese people are at risk for. The body’s ability to reverse these conditions after enough weight has been lost is remarkable. Fewer calories consumed and regular physical activity are part of the post-weight-loss surgery lifestyle and help decrease your risk of developing other medical conditions.