Loader

Book your free consultation our team will touch with you as soon as possible!

Obesity Surgery

Obesity Surgery

​Obesity is considered as one of the most important health problems Worldwide. Obesity is the state in which excessive fat tissue rate in the body exceeds the desired level. Above 25% of the body weight in men and above 30% of the body weight in women refers to the presence of obesity.

What is morbid obesity?

Morbid obesity is defined as obesity that shortens a person's life span and causes death as a result of the risks it exposes them to. Surgery should be considered by anyone in this circumstance.

Obesity is defined as a body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or higher, according to the International Federation of Obesity Surgery (IFSO) guidelines, which are widely accepted around the world. The body weight is divided by the square of the height in meters to get this index.

For example, the body mass index of a person who weighs 110 kg and is 170 cm tall is calculated as follows

1.7x1.7= 2.89

110/2.89= 38.1 Kg/m2

According to the body mass index, individuals can be divided into the following groups.

Normal Weight 18-25 Kg/m2

Overweight 25-30 Kg/m2

Obese type 1: 30-35 Kg/m2

Obese type 2 :35-40 Kg/m2

Obese type 3 :(Morbid obese)

Super Obese 40-50 Kg/m2

50-60 Kg/m2

Super-Super Obese More than 60 Kg/m2

Why can't morbid obese lose weight?

Unfortunately, based on both scientific evidence and everyday experience, there is no sustainable weight loss with food and exercise alone. The most usual scenario is that following severe diet and exercise attempts, 10-15 kg of weight is regained in a short period of time. The unfortunate reality is that conventional techniques cannot yet accomplish more than 95 percent weight loss in morbidly obese people.

Which methods are used in the surgical treatment of obesity?

When other treatment methods fail, surgical treatment of obesity is the main option. Although there are many surgical methods, nowadays it is often

  • Sleeve Gastrectomy (Tubular Stomach)

  • Roux-N-Y Gastric By Pass

It is one of the most used methods.

Laparoscopic Gastric By Pass

In the surgical treatment of obesity, laparoscopic gastric bypass is one of the most effective and durable surgical techniques. This operation, which is done through a laparoscopic (closed) procedure, is permanent. It is especially advised for those who have a BMI of more than 50 kg/m2, a condition known as hyper obesity, although it also works for people who are underweight. The top half of the stomach is left with a reservoir of up to 30 milliliters, while the lower part is separated in this surgical procedure. The small intestine is also brought 70-120 cm from the lower section of the stomach, and the mouth is opened to the stomach, allowing the consumed meals to pass via the duodenum.

Who cannot have Gastric By Pass surgery (Stomach By Pass)?

This surgery is not performed for those with a body mass index below 35 Kg/m2. In addition, the person who will have this surgery should be between the ages of 16 and 60, should not have a mental illness, should not have a serious systemic disease that prevents him from getting anesthesia.

When is the ideal weight achieved after Gastric By Pass surgery?

In two years after surgery, the desired weight is achieved. Weight loss is rapid in the first few months after surgery, but gradually slows down. It's not a good idea to lose weight too quickly because it can lead to vitamin and electrolyte shortages. This can disrupt the cardiovascular system and the body's internal equilibrium, which we refer to as homeostasis. People who lose weight quickly may also get drooping skin.

Sleeve Gastrectomy

One of the most common operations in the surgical treatment of obesity today is a sleeve gastrectomy (tube stomach). Almost 3/4 of the stomach is removed in this surgery, and the stomach is transformed into a tube. As a result, both the stomach capacity and the amount of appetite-stimulating hormone (Ghrelin) secreted by the stomach are lowered, resulting in successful weight loss.

Methods used in obesity surgery;

Sleeve Gastrectomy

This surgery is known as tube stomach surgery. In this method, a particular segment of the stomach is surgically extracted and a tube-shaped stomach is left. It provides weight loss just by reducing the amount of nutrition.

Gastric By-pass Surgeries

Surgeries which reduce nutrition intake and the absorption of nutrition are called gastric by-pass surgeries. In this surgical intervention, the stomach is reduced and a part of small intestines are deactivated in terms of digestion and absorption. Classical by-pass surgery, which we call RYGB, is the surgery which reduces the stomach mostly. Absorption control level is nearly zero.

Duodenal Switch Surgery

It is the oldest and strongest Obesity Surgery which provides and maintains weight loss for the longest term. No life-long diet is used and nutrition is unconstrained. This effect is dependent on absorption control.

LIFE-LONG INTENSIVE VITAMIN AND MINERAL SUPPORT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY

There are also situations which are unsuitable for obesity surgery. Which are:

Contraindications:

  • Severe eating disorder

  • Persistent obesity with excessive use of alcohol

  • Serious systemic diseases

  • Diseases that affect upper alimentary tract

  • Requirement of regularuse of anti-inflammatory drugs

What is the surgical treatment “Obesity Surgery", our primary concern?

Obesity is not a health problem which can only be taken under control with diet programs, exercises or medication therapy. With these treatment methods, it is possible to regain the lost weight, or in otherwords, not to maintain the lost weight. The most effective method in obesity treatment is obesity surgery. Shortly, to rule out one's obesity problem via surgical intervention.

Obesity surgery basically stands up on two principles. The aim in obesity surgery is: to reduce the volume of the stomach and/or “malabsorption", which means to provide the prevention of the absorption of nutrition. Obesity surgery can be appealed if obesity duration is more than 5 years and if the patient is 20 to 60 years old.

Surgical intervention for patients with excessive weight in order to lose weight is called obesity surgery or bariatric surgery, which originates from the word “baros", which means weight in Ancient Greek.

Results of obesity surgery, which is now a days one of the gradually disseminating methods, are more successful when compared with other methods. Weight loss provided by surgical intervention reduces death rate substantially. The biggest advantage of it is that it reduces obesity-related diseases.

How is obesity which causes many serious health problems treated?

The methods in the treatment of obesity is explained in 5 groups:

Medical nutrition (diet) therapy in Obesity

Prepared diet program must be personal. The aim in diet therapy is to reduce body fat depositions by creating an energy gap.

Moreover in the diet, reduction in fat deposits has to be achieved without causing cell loss in muscles and vital organs, while vitamin, mineral and electrolyte loss have to be prevented also.

Exercise therapy in Obesity

Exercise therapy is started after heart and respiration are checked. In earlier stages, exercise therapy is performed moderately as 30-45 minutes, 3 to 5 days perweek. Physical activity is started with simple exercises, and it is gradationally increased.

Pharmacologic treatment in Obesity

Supportive medication in the treatment of obesity are certainly not suitable for all the patients. Such medication should be used under advice and control of a Doctor.

Many factors play a role in the occurrence of obesity problem.

To mention these ,briefly:

  • Super alimentation and wrong nutrition habits

  • Insufficient physical activities

  • Age

  • Gender

  • Education level

  • Life quality

  • Financial situation

  • Hormonal and metabolic factors

  • Genetic factors

  • Psychological problems

  • Frequently used low-energy diets

  • Smoking and alcohol consumption

  • Usage of several drugs like anti-depressants

  • Parity and intervals between deliveries

Such factors induce obesity problems. While these situations cause the obesity, there are also health problems induced by obesity. Many diseases are found in obese people secondary to obesity. Which are:

  • Insulin resistance

  • Type 2 Diabetes

  • Hypertension

  • Metabolic syndrome

  • Gallbladder diseases

  • Several types of cancer

  • Osteoarthritis

  • Stroke

  • Sleep apnea

  • Hepatosteatosis

  • Hirsutism

  • Increased risks in surgical interventions

  • Mental problems

  • Asthma

  • Coronary artery disease

  • Increase in blood cholesterol

  • Difficulty in breathing

  • Pregnancy complications

  • Menstrual disorders,

  • Skin and fungal infections

  • Musculo-skeletal system problems

Approximately ¾ of the stomach is removed during this procedure. By volume, this ratio is about 800-2000 cc (4-10 glasses of water). The remaining stomach has a capacity of 80-120 cc (half a glass of water).

After sleeve gastrectomy, weight loss occurs with 2 mechanisms :

 

  1. Weight loss as a result of a mechanical limitation and a decrease in stomach motions due to a reduction in gastric volume.
  2. Weight loss happens as a result of a hormonal alteration because the stomach tissue that makes ghrelin is eliminated.
  3. Ghrelin is a hormone produced by oxyntic cells in the upper part of the stomach called the fundus and strongly stimulates the appetite center in the brain. Each gram of the gastric fundus contains 10-20 times more ghrelin than the duodenum. In other words, 80% of the Ghrelin hormone secreted in the whole body is secreted from the part of the stomach we call Fundus, which is removed by Tube Stomach Surgery. Because the fundus area of the stomach, where ghrelin is produced, is eliminated in Gastric Sleeve Surgery, appetite reduces and weight loss happens.

  • It can be performed laparoscopically (closed), so wound healing is faster, pain is less, and the hospital stay is shortened.
  • The stomach's capacity is reduced, but because its functions are unaffected, numerous food categories can be taken in moderation.
  • Since the fundus region of the stomach, where ghrelin (hunger hormone) is produced, is removed, appetite also decreases and weight loss occurs.
  • Dumping syndrome is avoided because the pylorus valve, which allows food to pass through the stomach slowly and hence aids digestion, is intact. In comparison to other procedures, the sense of fullness lasts longer since the food exits the stomach later. After gastric bypass surgery, dumping syndrome might occur.
  • Since the intestine is not touched in this surgery, risks such as intestinal obstruction, stenosis, ulcer, anemia, protein and vitamin deficiency, osteoporosis (bone loss) that can be seen in by-pass surgeries are eliminated.
  • It gives very effective results for the first stage surgery in consecutive double surgeries in supermorbid obese (BMI> 50 kg/m2).
  • Because bypass surgery is dangerous in obese individuals with persistent inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, for example), sleeve gastrectomy surgery is a better option.

  • The expected weight loss is generally achieved with sleeve gastrectomy surgery. However, ideal weight loss may not be achieved in “Sweat Eater” patients, who are known for their fondness for sweet foods. In such patients, a detailed evaluation should be made by a dietitian and psychologist before the operation and their eating habits should be changedIf a patient's food habits cannot be modified. By-pass or duodenal switch surgery may be considered instead of a tube stomach.
  • With Tube Stomach Surgery, Diabetes is improved by 40-60%, Hypertension is improved by 60-70%, and the person does not need to use medication. However, in such chronic diseases called Gastric Bypass, Roux-en-Y surgery or another version of Mini Gastric By Pass is much more effective and 90% drugs are not needed.

Although weight loss varies from person to another, most people lose roughly 15 kg in the first month after a sleeve gastrectomy. In the second month, you'll lose 8-10 kg, 5-6 kg in the third month, and 4-5 kg in the months after that. It's not a good idea because quick weight reduction leads to vitamin deficits and sagging skin. The goal should be to achieve 70-80% of the optimal weight in the first six months, and to achieve the ideal weight after two years.

Drinking a colored liquid (methylene blue or contrast) 24 hours following the operation is used to perform a "leakage" test. Despite the low likelihood of leaking, after this test, the first sip of water is taken on the second day, followed by fruit juice, compote juice, and fruit teas. On the third day, grain-free soup, ayran, and yoghurt are introduced. Every day, depending on the person's cooperation, more foods are added to the diet. After a week, you can eat boiled veggies and fruits. In the second week, you can consume soft-boiled eggs, fish in the third week, and minced meat in the fourth week Patients progressively convert to purees in the third week after surgery, followed by a liquid food diet for 1-2 weeks, and then solid foods at the end of the first month. All foods are allowed to be eaten after 6 weeks, with the exception of chocolate. Overall, food consumption is drastically reduced. The portions are getting smaller. It becomes more vital to chew for longer periods of time. The key difference between diets without surgery and diets that assist the patient lose weight is the decrease in appetite. In the first few months, this effect is substantially stronger. Some people may lose interest in meals and sweets that they previously enjoyed.

Potential dangers and unfavorable outcomes can be seen in sleeve gastrectomy surgery, as they are in practically any procedure. In this sense, the surgeon's knowledge and experience are critical. However, there are some unfavorable outcomes that might occur with sleeve gastrectomy procedures:

 

  • Leakage formation: The probability of this complication varies between 2 and 4%. Gastric sleeve surgery is performed by cutting the stomach with titanium alloy instruments called staplers. If this stapler line breaks during cutting, it will cause leaks (leakage or fistula). This can cause inflammation of the peritoneum (peritonitis), infection and abscesses. It is necessary to check for leakage before beginning the post-operative feeding. (leakage)
  • Bleeding at the staple line: This is a condition that occurs around 1% during or after surgery and often resolves on its own. To control this, a reservoir (drain) is placed in the abdomen adjacent to the stapler line. If large amounts of blood fill this reservoir after surgery, it may be necessary to insert blood. This is ,  however, quite uncommon.
  • Infection: It is more common especially in obese people with diabetes.
  • Emboli: It is the most serious and deadly complication seen less than 1%. It is the situation where the clot formed in the veins breaks off from where it is and comes to the lungs or other organs and clogs them. In order to prevent this fatal complication, blood thinners are started 12 hours before the surgery (1 week and 10 days before as BMI rises). It is continued until 5 days after the operation. The risk of embolism continues until the 20th day after surgery. Antiembolic stockings, which are worn around the leg, are another common way to lower the risk of embolism.
  • Respiratory problems : Smoking exacerbates the deterioration of lung capacity that has already occurred as a result of obesity. To reduce respiratory distress, the patient should cease smoking at least 10 days before the procedure and, if possible, begin respiratory excisions 10 days before the procedure. Triflow respiratory exercise devices, which are available for this purpose, provide a lot of advantages.
  • Incisional hernia (incisional hernia): Since the area where the cut stomach is removed during the surgery is opened slightly wider, herniation may occur here. The incision should be sutured at the end of the surgery to avoid this.
  • Organ injuries: Liver, lung and intestinal injuries may develop during surgery due to their proximity to the surgical field.
  • Death: Sleeve gastrectomy surgery carries a 1 in 1000 chance of death. This risk is comparable to the chance of death associated with appendicitis or gallbladder surgery, and it is within acceptable limits

Skin sagging: this is a condition that develops in most patients. Rapid weight loss, age, sports and exercises can affect these sagging. If necessary, correction operations can be performed with plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Hair loss: Rapid weight loss after surgery might cause thinning and breakage of hair strands. It is a condition that occurs rarely as a result of a protein or trace element shortage.

Vitamin-mineral deficiency: In order to prevent this undesirable situation, although rarely, after sleeve gastrectomy; Preparations containing especially B1, B12 and D vitamins should be added to the treatment, albeit temporarily. In fact, it is necessary to control the blood levels of these vitamins and trace elements with regular blood tests.

The criteria of the World Obesity Surgery Association serve as a guide in this regard. Obesity surgery is indicated for patients with a BMI of more than 35 kg/m2 and co-morbidities (hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, polycystic ovarian syndrome, reflux esophagitis, etc.) or a BMI of more than 40 kg/m2. Another requirement, in addition to weight, is the lack of an advanced psychological condition. Furthermore, while the age limit has been substantially loosened in recent years, it should not be less than 16 years old and no more than 65 years old.

Free Consultation
Free Consultation