Bariatric is more than a weight loss Surgery!!

Bariatric surgery has been in practice for so many years, but still most of people are unaware of its therapeutic (Curative) aspect. Bariatric surgery which is also termed as Metabolic surgery can make tremendous influence on the course of disease which has been so far considered to be chronic, incurable and labeled to be one which can be controlled only. There are long list of disease, which obese people suffer from like Diabetes, Hypertension, Hyperlipedemia, PCOD, Sleep Apnea and other endocrinal disorder, which can be resolved with the help of Bariatric Surgery.

The most common form of diabetes which accounts for 95 percent of all cases is T2DM. T2DM leads to many health problems including cardiovascular disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, neuropathy, amputations and impotency.

Current therapy for T2DM includes lifestyle intervention and anti-diabetes medication(s). Anti-diabetic medication may help to keep blood sugar levels from being excessively high but it offers nothing as far as resolution is concerned and disease keep progressing . This Disease often worsens with time, requiring either higher doses or increased number of medication to maintain blood sugar control. Most of the complications related to diabetes is related to the microvascular changes which diabetes induces in essential organ, microvascular changes is directly proportional to number of years patient is suffering from diabetes.

Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery could be the most effective treatment for patients with T2 DM who are affected by obesity as well. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) after consultation with world-renowned experts like Diabetologists, endocrinologists, surgeons and public health experts around the world released a Position Statement calling for bariatric surgery to be considered early in the treatment of T2DM. Surgery should be an accepted option (indicated) in people who have T2DM and a BMI of 35 or more. Surgery should also be considered as an alternative treatment option in patients with a BMI between 30 and 35 when T2DM cannot be adequately controlled by optimal medical regimen, especially in the presence of other major cardiovascular disease risk factors like hypertension & hyperlipedemia.

Gastric Bypass & Sleeve are routinely performed metabolic surgery. This procedure is done laparoscopically with minimal pain and requires one or two days of hospital stay. The recovery after surgery is swift; most of patient can go back to work after a week or two. The operation results in significant weight-loss and causes remission of T2DM, 80 percent of patients do not require any medication for diabetes after surgery and improvement of the disease in an additional 15 percent of patients where the need for medication is bare minimal. It also helps in resolution or improvement in disease like hypertension and lipid abnormality.

Bariatric surgery has been proved to be cost- effective treatment for T2DM. The risk for complications and death with bariatric surgery is low and similar to that of any other well-accepted Laparoscopy procedures.