Friday, August 7, 2015

Discuss Weight Control Options With Bariatric Surgeons NJ Residents Count On

By Olive Pate


Many severely obese individuals living in Ridgewood, NJ have tried everything they know possible to lose the extra weight. When even the most restricted diet and strenuous exercise fail to produce the desired results, many people start to consider bariatric surgery as an option. This is especially true if the obesity is causing medical complications. Anyone who wants to discuss this option with a professional can find bariatric surgeons NJ residents rely on for help.

After undergoing bariatric surgery, patients are committed to a lifetime of changes associated with the way they consume food. Many of the procedures are irreversible and they alter the digestive process. Surgeons achieve this by reconfiguring how the small intestine and stomach interact with each other. Patients are able to consume smaller amounts of food and still feel full.

The four most common surgeries are the gastric bypass, the gastric band, the duodenal switch, and the vertical sleeve gastrectomy. The adjustable gastric band fits over the top portion of the stomach to limit its capacity to hold food. Instead of being able to hold approximately three pints, the stomach can only hold about one ounce. The surgeon can adjust the band as needed by injecting saline.

Gastric bypass involves stapling some of the stomach together to create a pouch with a capacity to hold one cup of food. The surgeon separates the stomach from the duodenum and reattaches it to a different place on the small intestine. Bypassing the duodenum restricts calorie absorption.

Duodenal switch surgery is more complicated. A portion of the patient's stomach is removed leaving a cylinder between the small intestine and the esophagus. The surgeon cuts only a portion of the duodenum. The surgeon reroutes the small intestine allowing food to pass through only a small portion of it for digestion. This type of surgery results in the most weight loss but it also carries the highest risk of complications. People who undergo this procedure must follow a lifelong regimen of taking mineral and vitamin supplements.

Vertical sleeve gastrectomy reduces stomach size and lowers levels of ghrelin in the patient's circulatory system. Ghrelin is called the hunger hormone because it controls appetite. The surgeon removes large portions of stomach leaving a small cylinder in place between the small intestines and the esophagus.

After the surgery, patients must have regular medical follow-up, sometimes for the rest of their lives. They have to adjust to eating smaller meals forever because the results are permanent. The more involved surgery options are irreversible. Patients who fail to follow through with regular exercise and eating healthy foods are at risk of gaining weight even after surgery.

Individuals who had obesity related illnesses before the surgery will often see dramatic improvement in health after the procedure. They are at lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and severe sleep apnea. Surgery alone does produce short-term weight loss but patients must make healthy lifestyle choices about exercise and diet to enjoy long-term success with this type of weight loss program.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment