Obesity is a chronic and progressive disease that can affect the function of several organs in the body. Someone who is diagnosed with obesity is at high risk of suffering from complications. In fact, 400,000 people in America alone die each year as a result of complications from obesity-related diseases.
Most diseases caused by obesity are type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. High blood pressure due to obesity can also cause heart attack, heart failure and stroke. Other health problems that can also arise include respiratory problems, asthma, back pain and gastric acid reflux (GERD). Significant weight loss can help with these complications and may even cure them.
Criteria for patients interested in weight loss surgery or bariatric surgery
Obesity is a problem that is difficult to overcome. Many patients have tried various methods such as diet, medication and exercise but the results are not permanent. The method of losing weight by limiting the amount of food you eat is one option for dealing with obesity that has failed in many other ways.
The criteria for patients to undergo weight loss surgery are to use benchmarks: Body Mass Index (BMI) of more than 40 . BMI > 40 indicates excess of 45 kg over ideal body weight for men or excess of 36 kg over ideal body weight for women.
Weight reduction surgery can also be an option for someone who has a BMI of more than 35 who is accompanied by various other health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, breathing problems and high cholesterol.
It should be noted that the success of this weight loss surgery is highly dependent on the knowledge, motivation and lifestyle of each individual.
Weight Loss Surgery (Bariatric Surgery) requires Individual responsibility, lifestyle changes and vitamin intake
Lack of exercise, unbalanced diet, eating too many carbohydrates and soft drinks are some of the factors that cause failure after surgery.
To get satisfactory results, patients must be committed to undergoing lifestyle changes to be healthier.
Studies show that patients who have a healthy lifestyle, choose nutritious foods and supplements and regularly undergo periodic control will get satisfactory results after surgery.
This method is a powerful option that gives patients the opportunity to experience new life changes.
Sleeve Gastrectomy
Sleeve Gastrectomy surgery is a weight loss surgery method. This operation is only performed on the stomach and does not involve other organs. This operation also has another name gastric sleeve or vertical gastrectomy where this operation makes the shape of the stomach into a long tube.
This operation reduces the size of the stomach to 1/3 of its original size. This small stomach size limits food portions, so patients will feel full quickly and feel less hungry.
This procedure does not involve bypassing the intestines and other organs so it does not affect the absorption of food.
After surgery, the remaining stomach still retains the function of the digestive process. Sleeve gastrectomy is currently the procedure of choice for treating obesity/overweight.
Why choose Sleeve Gastrectomy?
Sleeve Gastrectomy surgery has several advantages, including:
- Does not require implantation of aids in the stomach such as the use of foreign discs / rings (used in Gastric Banding operations)
- This procedure, apart from reducing the size of the stomach, also reduces the secretion of the hormone ghrelin, thereby reducing hunger and causing a feeling of fullness.
- This procedure has been proven to be successful in helping patients overcome obesity problems.
Sleeve Gastrectomy surgical method
Sleeve Gastrectomy surgery uses the Minimally Invasive Surgery method, also known as keyhole surgery. Using a good quality medical device from the United States named Endo GIA™ with Tri-Staple Technology.
The advantages of Minimally Invasive Surgery compared to conventional surgery methods include:
- Smaller incision
With smaller incisions up to 1/10 of conventional surgery, the appearance will be better because there are minimal incision marks on the patient's body
- The hospital stay is shorter
- Faster return to activity
With smaller wounds, the patient's healing period is faster so that patients can return to their activities up to 1 month earlier than open surgery.
Article written by dr. Handy Wing, Sp.B.SubBDig (Surgery Specialist – Digestive Surgery Sub Specialist, EMC Alam Sutera Hospital).