Specialty
Obesity Bariatric Surgery
Doctor:
Octavio Rojas Diaz
Specialty
Gastrosurgeon / Obesity Bariatric Surgery
Address
Av. Coyoacán 715
Cp 03100 Col Del Valle CDMX
Schedule consultation
Obesity Bariatric Surgery
Obesity is a chronic disease that requires serious and long-term treatment. It is defined as excess body weight that can be detrimental to health. Obesity can be measured by the body mass index (BMI), which is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared. A BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese. Morbid obesity, which is even more severe, is defined as a BMI of 40 or higher.
Obesity is a major health problem throughout the world, and Mexico is no exception. It is estimated that more than half of the Mexican population is overweight or obese, which increases the risk of chronic diseases such as:
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Diabetes
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Depression
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Hypertension
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Coronary arteriosclerosis and heart failure.
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Hypertension
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Respiratory insufficiency
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Gastrointestinal complications (vesicular, hiatal hernia)
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Venous insufficiency
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Diverticular disease
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Early death
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Arthritis in the knees, hips and spine
The treatment of obesity must be comprehensive and personalized, focused on a change in lifestyle and a healthy diet, as well as regular physical exercise. However, for some patients, these measures are not enough to achieve significant weight loss. In these cases, bariatric surgery may be an effective long-term option.
There are several types of bariatric surgery available, each with its own benefits and risks. The type of surgery recommended will depend on the individual needs of the patient and their medical history. Some of the more common procedures include adjustable gastric banding, sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, and biliopancreatic diversion.
It is important to note that bariatric surgery is not a magic bullet for obesity. A long-term commitment to lifestyle changes, diet, and exercise is required to maintain healthy weight loss. As with any surgical intervention, there are risks associated with bariatric surgery, but for many patients, the benefits outweigh the risks and can significantly improve their quality of life.
Bariatric surgery as a resource to lose weight
Despite diets, medications, and exercise, more than 95% of people fail to lose weight in the long term. Bariatric surgery has become an option for those who have failed in these usual means.
There are various surgical procedures that have helped millions of people achieve their weight loss goals effectively. Bariatric surgery is primarily aimed at reducing the size of the stomach or restricting the amount of food a person consumes. Although there are various techniques, they all seek the same result: decreased appetite and food intake.
The long-term success of bariatric surgery depends on several factors, such as decreasing the size of the stomach, which makes the patient feel full after eating a small amount of food. Also, after the surgery, the patient will find it difficult to eat foods high in sugars and fats, which helps to avoid weight gain. Behavior modification of the gastric emptying system causes patients to naturally avoid these foods.
It is important to note that bariatric surgery is not a cosmetic option. The risk of these operations must be understood in the context of severe obesity, which is a chronic and progressive disease that threatens life. These treatments have the ability to significantly improve the quality of life of people suffering from morbid obesity.
A modern and safe bariatric surgery technique is laparoscopic gastric banding. This band is placed around the stomach to reduce its size and emptying, forcing the patient to eat less food. This technique offers laparoscopic advantages, such as an operation with minimal pain, fewer respiratory complications, rapid recovery, and adjustments according to weight loss.
To determine if a patient is a candidate for surgery, their body mass index (BMI) must be calculated, which is obtained by dividing the weight in kilograms by the height in meters squared. A BMI greater than 35 is considered morbid obesity and candidates for surgery are those who have a BMI greater than 40 (approximately 30 kilos overweight) or a BMI between 35 and 40 with diseases associated with being overweight.
Intra-gastric balloon
If you are looking for an option to reduce weight and you are not a candidate for surgery or your excess weight does not exceed 40%, an effective alternative is the intragastric balloon. This procedure is performed by endoscopy on an outpatient basis, with low risks and excellent results.
The balloon is placed in the stomach and takes up space, which causes a feeling of satiety and reduces appetite. It is important to note that the balloon can only remain in the stomach for a maximum of 6 months, after which it must be removed. This option is a good alternative for those looking for a less invasive intervention with a shorter recovery time.
Gastric Bypass or Gastric By Pass
It is a bariatric surgical procedure that has proven to be highly effective in the definitive control of obesity. The surgical technique consists of reducing the size of the stomach and creating a small bag that communicates directly with the small intestine, thus achieving a reduction in the amount of food consumed.
This method is recommended for those patients who have a body mass index greater than 40 and who have not been able to lose weight through other methods, and who also have other diseases associated with being overweight, such as cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, vesicular, psychological, among others.
The Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass has also been shown to significantly decrease the appetite-regulating hormone, ghrelin, which helps control the patient's feelings of hunger. This surgical procedure is highly effective and has proven to be an excellent option for those patients seeking a definitive solution to obesity.
The gastric sleeve
The gastric sleeve is a relatively new method that involves the removal of approximately 66% of the stomach, significantly reducing its capacity. In obese patients, feeling full is essential to send satiety signals to the brain.
By reducing the size of the stomach, the patient can experience the same feeling of fullness with a much smaller amount of food. This procedure is recommended for very obese patients (with a body mass index greater than 60 kg/m²) who cannot tolerate longer surgery.
The patient may experience weight loss for 12 to 18 months after surgery. If the patient does not lose enough weight after this period, a gastric bypass may be performed to complete the procedure. If the patient loses enough weight and is close to their ideal weight, no further procedure is recommended.
In this case, the gastric sleeve is considered a pure restrictive procedure that does not use foreign bodies, calibrations, or intense monitoring by the surgeon. It is usually done with linear staplers that fire three rows of staples to ensure a tight seal. The patient usually stays in the hospital for two days before being discharged.
Gastric Sleeve is a highly effective and safe bariatric surgery that can help people lose weight and improve their overall health. Unlike other bariatric procedures, the Gastric Sleeve does not require disconnecting and reconnecting the intestines, making it less invasive and easier to perform.
In addition, this surgery reduces the volume of the stomach, but allows patients to consume food of all kinds in small amounts. This means that patients can continue to enjoy their favorite foods without having to worry about feeling full or choking.
Another advantage of the Gastric Sleeve is that it removes the portion of the stomach that produces the hunger-stimulating hormone Ghrelin, which helps patients feel less like eating. In addition, the pylorus is spared, preventing dumping syndrome and minimizing ulcer development.
Recovery from Gastric Sleeve surgery is fast, with only 2 days of hospitalization and return to work in only 5-7 days. It is an attractive option for people with existing anemia, Crohn's disease, and other conditions that make the risk too high for intestinal bypass procedures.
It should be noted that the Gastric Sleeve is not a magical solution for weight loss. Patients must change their eating habits and exercise for lasting results. However, this surgery can be an invaluable tool in helping people achieve their weight loss goals and improve their overall quality of life.
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