Bariatric surgery pros and cons: Is it good for you?

last update date : 2023-11-30

Learn more about bariatric surgery pros and cons? Bariatric surgery is a term that refers to various surgical procedures that aim to help people lose weight and improve their health. Bariatric surgery can be a life-changing option for people who struggle with obesity and related conditions, but it also has some drawbacks and risks that need to be considered. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of bariatric surgery, as well as one of the popular destinations for this procedure: Turkey.

What are the 4 types of bariatric surgery?

 The most common types of bariatric surgery are:

• Gastric bypass: This surgery involves creating a small pouch at the top of the stomach and connecting it to the lower part of the small intestine, bypassing most of the stomach and some of the intestine. This reduces the amount of food and calories that can be absorbed by the body and also affects the hormones that regulate appetite and blood sugar.

• Sleeve gastrectomy: This surgery involves removing about 80% of the stomach, leaving a narrow tube-like shape. This limits the amount of food that can be eaten at one time and also reduces the production of a hormone called ghrelin, which stimulates hunger.

• Gastric band: This surgery involves placing an adjustable band around the upper part of the stomach, creating a small pouch above it. The band can be tightened or loosened to control how much food can pass through the stomach. This helps to reduce hunger and portion sizes.

• Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD/DS): This surgery is similar to gastric bypass, but more of the stomach is removed and more of the small intestine is bypassed. This results in even less absorption of calories and nutrients, but also more side effects and complications.

Reasons to have bariatric surgery

Bariatric surgery can be a suitable option for people who have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher, or a BMI of 35 or higher with obesity-related health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, or heart disease. Bariatric surgery can also be considered for people who have a BMI of 30 to 34 with poorly controlled diabetes or other serious conditions.

Bariatric surgery can help people lose a significant amount of weight, which can improve their quality of life and self-esteem. It can also help to prevent or treat many obesity-related diseases, which can reduce the risk of premature death and disability. 

Bariatric surgery benefits

Bariatric surgery can have many benefits, such as:

• Reducing the risk of potentially life-threatening weight-related health problems, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and some cancers.

• Improving the quality of life and psychological well-being of patients who undergo bariatric surgery. Most people who get weight-loss surgery report higher satisfaction with their body image and self-esteem.

• Enhancing the ability to perform daily activities and exercise, can lead to further weight loss and better physical fitness.

• Resolving or improving obesity-related medical conditions, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, fatty liver disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), joint pain, and infertility.

Bariatric surgery side effects

Bariatric surgery is a major procedure that can have some short-term and long-term side effects. Some of the possible side effects are:

• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, gas, bloating, and abdominal pain after eating. These symptoms can be managed by following a proper diet and taking medications as prescribed by the doctor.

• Dumping syndrome, which occurs when food moves too quickly from the stomach to the small intestine. This can cause symptoms such as sweating, flushing, dizziness, palpitations, cramps, and diarrhea. This can be prevented by avoiding foods that are high in sugar and fat and eating smaller and more frequent meals.

• Nutritional deficiencies, such as anemia, osteoporosis, vitamin B12 deficiency, and iron deficiency. These can occur because of reduced food intake and malabsorption of nutrients after bariatric surgery. These can be corrected by taking vitamin and mineral supplements as recommended by the doctor and having regular blood tests to monitor the levels of nutrients in the body.

• Excess skin can result from rapid weight loss after bariatric surgery. This can cause cosmetic concerns and skin problems such as rashes, infections, and ulcers. This can be treated by undergoing plastic surgery to remove the excess skin and improve the appearance of the body.

Bariatric surgery risks

Bariatric surgery is generally safe and effective, but like any surgery, it has some potential risks and complications. Some of the possible risks are:

• Bleeding, infection, leakage, or blockage in the digestive tract after bariatric surgery. These can require additional surgery or other treatments to fix them.

• Blood clots in the legs or lungs can be life-threatening if they travel to the heart or brain. These can be prevented by taking blood thinners before and after bariatric surgery and moving around as soon as possible after the operation.

Bariatric surgery in Turkey: how Mira Clinic does Bariatric surgery in Istanbul?

Turkey is one of the popular destinations for bariatric surgery, as it offers high-quality medical services at affordable prices. Mira Clinic is a leading bariatric surgery center in Istanbul, Turkey, it provides the following advantages for its patients:

• Experienced and qualified surgeons: Mira Clinic has a team of expert bariatric surgeons who have performed thousands of successful procedures and have international accreditations and memberships.

• Modern and accredited facilities: Mira Clinic operates in JCI-accredited hospitals that have state-of-the-art equipment and technology, as well as comfortable and hygienic rooms and wards.

• Comprehensive and personalized care: Mira Clinic offers a full range of bariatric procedures, such as gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, gastric band, and BPD/DS, as well as revision surgeries for previous bariatric patients. They also provide individualized consultation, evaluation, preparation, surgery, recovery, and aftercare services for each patient.

• Affordable and all-inclusive packages: Mira Clinic offers competitive prices for bariatric surgery, which include the cost of the procedure, hospital stay, anesthesia, medications, tests, and follow-up visits. They also include the cost of transportation, accommodation, translation, and assistance for international patients.

• High satisfaction and success rates: Mira Clinic has a high rate of patient satisfaction and positive feedback, as well as a high rate of weight loss and health improvement outcomes. They also have a low rate of complications and infections.