Pouch, band, sleeve, surgery – what’s cosmetic, what’s bariatric surgery?

Maintaining ideal weight is essential for good health. There are many illnesses associated with obesity like Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus. Some cases of obesity are due to improper diet habit and sedentary lifestyle, wherein the individual does not burn enough calories as much as one’s intake. These can be overcome by healthy diet regulation and regular moderate exercise. If not managed for a long time or in some due to insulin resistance/genetic predisposition, this can lead to severe to extreme obesity. These patients are at risk of cardiac diseases, vascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes, etc. Controlling weight here becomes vital to prevent life-threatening complications. Bariatric SurgeryrnFor cases with severe to extreme obesity, weight loss can be achieved by surgery known as ‘Bariatric surgery’. Bariatric surgery is basically surgery performed by bariatric surgeons to reduce the capacity of the stomach. This limits the volume of food one consumes and thereby restricting the calories eaten. Part of the procedure also involves shortening part of the small intestine thereby restricting nutrients absorbed. The commonly performed bariatric surgeries are:rn1. Gastric Bypass surgery/ Roux-en-Y surgeryrnHere a small pouch is created in the stomach thereby restricting its capacity. So the patent feels full after eating a small quantity of food. A part of the upper small intestine is by-passed and this pouch of the stomach is connected to a distal part of small intestine. This restricts the nutrients absorbed. 2. Gastric BandingrnA small inflatable band is placed at the upper part of the stomach. The stomach above it acts as a small pouch which restricts food intake. Here the absorption of food is not affected. A port is connected to the band which can inflate/deflate the band. 3.Sleeve GastrectomyrnA part of the stomach along the greater curvature is excised. A small tubular pouch thus remains, which receives the food and gets full earlier thereby restricting one’s appetite. The absorption of food is not affected by this surgery. 4. Diversion surgeryrnA small pouch of the stomach is created by removing a part of the stomach. The lower part of this pouch is connected to a more distal small intestine. The duodenum and proximal part of the small intestine are by-passed. This by-passed segment is connected to the large intestine and the pancreatic juices and bile are secreted into it. Here both the size of stomach as well as the absorption is restricted thereby causing weight loss Cosmetic Abdominal surgeriesrnAfter successful weight loss surgery and good adherence to diet regulation, weight loss can be achieved. With significant weight loss, however, there can be flabby skin/stretch marks left behind. For cosmetic purposes, a surgery is performed called as Abdominoplasty or popularly called as ‘Tummy Tuck surgery’. 1. AbdominoplastyrnTummy tuck surgery improves the flabby and stretched abdominal skin and gives strength to the abdominal muscles. The excess skin and fatty tissues are removed upto the lower ribs and the muscles are tightened. For lose skin predominantly in the lower abdomen (below the navel), a mini-abdominoplasty is performed. 2. Liposculpture / LiposuctionrnThis is performed in people who have good elastic skin but excess subcutaneous tissue/fat. Here the subcutaneous tissue and fat are removed leaving a minimal scar. Abdominal muscles can also be tightened in which case it is called Liposculpture surgery. 3. Tummy LiftrnFor people with loose and hanging lower abdominal fat and upper thigh, a tummy lift surgery is performed where the surgeon lifts the subcutaneous tissue in the lower abdomen and upper thigh. In addition to post-weight loss status, these cosmetic surgeries can also be performed after pregnancy and after other abdominal surgeries where there can be loose and excessive subcutaneous tissue or flabby skin. So, whereas bariatric surgery aims to restrict the volume of stomach and restrict the absorption of food and nutrients; cosmetic abdominal surgery deals with removing lose and shaggy skin, subcutaneous tissue and tightening the underlying muscles. To know more about your specific condition, please visit a Bariatic Surgeon in a trusted hospital close to you.