Bariatric Surgery: Points To Be Aware Of About The Procedure And Taking Bartiatric Vitamins

December 25, 2009 by Weight Loss Tips

Severe obesity defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater and/or being 100 lbs overweight if you’re a male, and 80 lbs overweight if your a female, makes you a probable candidate for bariatric surgery, also known as gastric bypass surgery. When diet and fitness activities haven’t produced results adequate over time, many who meet the criterion above elect bariatric surgery with great results The operation itself is quite effective because it restricts food intake regardless of what type bariatric surgery one chooses. Furthermore, once a large amount of weight is lost after the operation, weight related conditions such as diabetes, sleep apnea, and high blood pressure are known to improve.

There are 4 types of bariatric surgery that are most common in the United States: adjustable gastric band or AGB, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or RYGB, biliopancreatic diversion with a duodenal switch or BPD-DS, and vertical sleeve gastrectomy or VSG. To select the alternative that is best for you, you and your doctor will carefully consider each operation’s pros and cons along with different factors, including BMI, eating habits, health issues associated with obesity, and prior surgeries.

AGB works mainly by decreasing food ingestion through placing an inflatable band around the upper part of the stomach which makes a small pouch about the size of your thumb. The opening is controlled by a round balloon inside the band that is inflated or deflated with saline solution to control ingestion according to requirements of the patient.

RYGB limits food intake through creation of a small pouch that is similar in dimension to the adjustable gastric band pouch. In addition, absorption of food is condensed by bypassing much of the digestive tract as food is channeled directly from the pouch into the small intestine. It’s estimated that patients lose up to 60-70% of excess weight through this operation.

BPD-DS, known as a duodenal switch, is a complicated bariatric operation that incorporates removing a sizeable portion of the stomach to reduce meal sizes. In short, the surgery combines restriction and malabsorption to help the patient achieve greater results. While the smaller stomach restricts ingestion, the re-outing of food away from much of the small intestine will inhibit absorption of food. Furthermore, this operation involves re-channeling bile and other digestive liquids to reduce digestion even more.

In removing a significant portion of the stomach, a tube shaped gastric sleeve called a vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) is created. The smaller stomach sleeve remains affixed to a short segment of the duodenum, which is then connected to a lower part of the small intestine. This operation leaves only a small portion of the duodenum available for food and the absorption of some vitamins and minerals.

The space between the stomach and colon is shortened following this procedure which can result in more pronounced malabsorption. Hence, BPD-DS is known to result in significant weight loss. Going forward though, there is greater risk of long-term difficulties because of decreased absorption of food, vitamins, and nutrients. In this case, taking bariatric supplements and vitamins becomes a key component going forward after the operation.

VSG is a 100% restrictive procedure in which a 2-3 ounce pouch is created through stapling and removing part of the stomach. The VSG operation restricts food intake but does not lead to lessened absorption of food which helps maintain more appropriate of nutrients in the blood stream. This reduces but does not eliminate the need to take bariatric supplements following surgery. Because most of the stomach is removed, the patient may experience a reduction in production of a hormone called ghrelin. Reducing ghrelin production is known to minimize hunger beyond the restrictive part of the operation. VSG is considered to be quite favorable for severely obese people.

Your doctor will advise you how to adapt to your new body and eating habits. Many doctors require periodic meetings up to twelve weeks following surgery and some request check ups annually indefinitely. Mainting proper diet, exercise, and supplementation are all important factors to your enduring success.

Weight loss surgery has grown 10 times over the past several years as it’s shown to be an exceptionally effective way to lose alot of weight. It’s vitally important however to pay close attention to nutritional factors as they relate to the newly restructured digestive tract. Neglecting appropriate dietary and supplementation measures will almost undoubtedly cause a bariatric surgery patient to develop a variety of difficulties. On the contrary, taking bariatric supplements and bariatric vitamins specifically designed to meet your post surgery supplemental needs will lead to a much healthier, happier life. For example, it is common for a gastric bypass surgery patient to become anemic in over time after surgery if they don’t take proper iron supplements. Vitamin A, B12, D, and calcium deficiencies will also lead to harmful conditions, potentially some life threatening. Under the supervision of your doctor, maintaining a proper diet and supplementation plan will have an enormous impact on your long term well being.

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