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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 :
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:
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.