OBESITY SURGERY
Bariatric surgery refers to surgical procedures performed on the stomach and digestive system to ensure permanent weight loss and reduce obesity-related health problems. These operations enable weight control, improve quality of life and enhance overall health.
Treatment Process
2 - 4 hours
2 - 3 days
2 - 3 weeks
4 - 6 weeks
What Is Intragastric Balloon Application?
It is based on placing a balloon into the stomach with the help of an endoscope and inflating it to keep the stomach full. The procedure is performed under sedation, and the balloon placed inside the stomach is inflated with 400–700 cc of fluid. This application can be performed in advanced obese patients with a BMI of 30 or higher, and the balloon is left in the stomach for a maximum of 6 months. During the first week after the application, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and retching are frequently observed. After the application, only liquid consumption is recommended for the first 2 days.
Intragastric balloon application should not be performed during pregnancy, in patients with reflux complaints, in patients with gastritis or ulcers in the stomach, and in those using aspirin.
This application has partially lost its popularity because afterward, problems such as the balloon bursting inside the stomach, causing sudden bowel obstruction, and the patient being taken for emergency surgery due to bowel obstruction are frequently encountered.
What Is Gastric Band Application?
This application is the surgical treatment method with the least side effects. It is based on placing a silicone band around the stomach entrance using a laparoscopic method and tightening it. In this way, narrowing of the stomach is achieved, and the amount of food intake is attempted to be limited. It can be applied in all age groups.
The most important disadvantages of gastric band application are that it disrupts eating habits, can shift from its place, may acutely cause obstruction in the esophagus, and most importantly, can create serious health problems requiring emergency surgery in the event of stomach wall perforation.
Patient Reviews
What Is Sleeve Gastrectomy?
It is currently the most commonly performed surgical treatment method. In this procedure, approximately 70% of the stomach is removed laparoscopically. In this way, the stomach is shaped into a tube, and its volume is significantly reduced. It was developed as an alternative to gastric banding and is an effective method for patients with a BMI of 50 or higher. However, the use of sleeve gastrectomy in patients with a BMI between 30 and 50 is still debated. The main reason is that certain early and late postoperative health issues have not yet been fully resolved.
In sleeve gastrectomy, the mortality rate during and immediately after surgery ranges from 4% to 7%. The most common cause is leakage from the cut edges of the stomach, allowing stomach contents to enter the abdominal cavity (peritonitis). After the surgery, the patient’s diet is highly restricted, and they must consume liquids for a long period. Vomiting small amounts of food that are consumed is a frequently encountered problem. Without the stomach, food cannot be broken down into small pieces and passes into the intestines in large chunks. In this way, the carbohydrates in the food cannot be absorbed by the intestines, drawing water with them and causing diarrhea and nutrient deficiencies (Dumping Syndrome). Additionally, these patients require external supplementation of B vitamin derivatives, which are normally absorbed from the stomach and are important for the functioning of the nervous system.
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