From Dieting to Bariatric Surgery: How to Pick the Right Option for Weight Loss

 Have you ever felt like you are fighting a battle you can't win? The battle against your own body? Does the number on the weighing scale hang over your happiness like a dagger that cannot be thrown out?

You are not alone; thousands feel the same way about being overweight, also called obesity, and are fighting the battle in their own way. Obesity affects your health, happiness, and quality of life, and can be a difficult enemy to beat. However, obesity is hardly a finality anymore, thanks to the deep understanding of the condition and modern techniques that medical science offers. Read on to gain valuable insights into the condition and its long-term solutions, both surgical and non-surgical.

Why is weight loss difficult for some?

Anyone who has gone over the normal weight range knows how difficult it is to shed those extra kilos. Be it through diet, exercise or medication, the process can seem tedious and extremely unrewarding. There are several reasons for this, including genetics, hormonal activities, metabolic factors, and lifestyle choices.

• Your lifestyle plays a very significant role in determining your weight. Those who follow a sedentary lifestyle and overindulge, especially in junk food, are at high risk of developing obesity. This reason can be tackled only by making the right choices about diet and lifestyle and adhering to them strictly.

• But obesity can also result from factors that are outside our will. Genes affect metabolism, which has a direct effect on your ability to feel full after eating. This determines your eating habits, playing an important role in weight gain/loss.

• Fluctuations in hormones, observed particularly in women during menopause, can affect hunger, metabolism, and body-fat distribution, sometimes leading to obesity.

• Some chromosomal aberrations, like Prader-Will syndrome, cause increased appetite and overeating, which are hard to control by behavioural regulation, directly contributing to obesity.

• Some medical conditions like PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), heart and kidney diseases, sleep apnoea, and hypothyroidism can also cause obesity.
  
  

The Dos and Don’ts of Weight Loss

Monitoring changes in your body and prioritising your health are crucial. But many people tend to do this either too little or too much, which not only fails to deliver the desired results but also starts to affect their daily lives.

Non-Surgical Options for Weight Loss

1.  Lifestyle changes

Combine dietary changes with exercise to achieve the best results in weight loss. Emphasise whole foods like fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, and avoid processed food and sugar. Exercise for a minimum of 150 minutes a week, including cardio and strength training.

2.  Health coaching

Weight loss plans are not a one-size-fits-all solution. They need to be tailored according to each person’s needs and health conditions. Dieticians and health coaches can help. Some people might also need psychological intervention, like behavioural therapy, if obesity is caused by conditions like compulsive eating.

3.  Medications and injections

Several oral pills and injections are used for long-term weight management that focus on reducing body fat, like tripeptides and semaglutides. These undergo strict clinical trials and quality testing before becoming available in the market. Doctors recommend these after assessing the patient’s BMI, health conditions and lifestyle.

Surgical Option for Weight Loss: Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery is gaining popularity as a solution to weight loss. It is a surgical procedure which works by modifying the digestive system in order to regulate hunger signals sent to the brain, hence reducing calorie intake. Bariatric surgery is recommended in case of class III obesity, where losing weight is impossible just through lifestyle changes. The procedure is based on the understanding that once the body perceives the high weight range as normal, it will naturally keep returning to the weight through managing what and when you eat.

Types of Bariatric Surgery

1.  Gastric Bypass

This surgery is also called Roux-en-Y, which means “in the shape of the letter Y”.  In this procedure, the surgeon makes a small pouch at the top of the stomach to which the divided part of the small intestine is connected. The flow of food is hence directed to the new, smaller pouch and the lower section of the small intestine, bypassing the rest of the parts of the two organs. This restricts the capacity of the stomach and the absorption of nutrients, resulting in low-calorie absorption.

2.  Sleeve Gastrectomy

Also called the gastric sleeve, this is a relatively safe and simple procedure. Through a gastrectomy, about 80% of the stomach is removed, leaving behind only a sleeve, which is much smaller. This causes the body to feel full quicker and reduces food ingestion. The hunger hormones produced in the stomach are also reduced, stabilising body metabolism and blood sugar.

3.  Adjustable Gastric Band

This is a bariatric procedure where a silicone band is placed around the upper portion of the stomach, dividing it into two smaller pouches. The upper pouch gets filled up with food quickly, which results in a quicker sense of fullness. The tightness of the band can be adjusted by injecting or withdrawing saline through a port placed under the skin. This procedure has the advantage of being adjustable and reversible.

Who Needs Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric surgery is an interventional procedure that is recommended only if the person is suffering from severe obesity and has tried and failed other weight loss techniques. Usually, those with a BMI of 40 or higher or 35 and above with significant health risks such as heart disease or kidney disease are advised to undergo bariatric procedures.

How Effective is Bariatric Surgery in Inducing Weight Loss?

Bariatric surgery is found to be more effective in long-term weight management than any other alternative currently available. About 90% of people lose around 50% of the excess weight after the procedure. The surgery is considered a success if 50% of the excess weight is lost and kept off for a long time. By this standard, the success rate of the procedure is high.

The Benefits and Side Effects of Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery is generally performed through minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures. This makes the surgery simpler and less demanding than other traditional surgical options. The benefits of Bariatric surgery are many:

• Significant loss in weight: Gives the best result for class III obesity

• Sustained loss in weight: The results are long-term and easily sustainable

• Improved metabolism: Hunger hormones are regulated, and metabolism is improved

• Better management of blood sugar and cholesterol: Due to improved metabolism, many patients experience remission of metabolism-related disorders.

Like any surgical procedure, bariatric surgery also has potential risks. Most of these are managed with proper post-operative care and are outweighed by the guaranteed advantages.

• Digestive complications (post-gastrectomy syndrome), like bile reflux and gallstones

• Malnutrition caused by malabsorption

• Other surgical complications, such as infection, bleeding, and blood clot formation

Outlook and Post-Operative Care

Bariatric surgery usually requires only a few days’ stay in the hospital. A few more weeks are necessary for full recovery and return to normal activities. It is generally advised to avoid strenuous activity for six weeks. Dietary changes are recommended according to the condition of the patient after surgery, as the procedure involves adjustments in the gastric system. Most people resume a normal diet in about twelve weeks.

Where to get Bariatric Surgery Done?

Bariatric surgery should be performed by an expert surgeon who specialises in weight loss techniques and has experience in performing complex procedures. It requires support from state-of-the-art medical equipment and a patient-centred approach from the caregivers who assist the patient. STAR Hospitals in Hyderabad offer all these under one roof. Dr. Lakshmi Kant, the bariatric surgeon at Star Hospital, Banjara Hills, is the best Bariatric surgeon in Hyderabad with years of experience and a great track record. Whether you are considering weight loss options, seeking long-term solutions or preparing for surgery, STAR Hospitals offers you the best service that addresses all your worries and concerns.

Take the next step towards a healthier lifestyle. Book a consultation with Dr. Lakshmi Kant at Star Hospitals today.

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