Bariatric surgery- Questions you must ask your doctor

It is vital that you are a candidate that can tolerate the risks of anaesthesia and Bariatric Surgery as this is a surgery that can improve your health in the long term , all sorts of pre op tests need to be done for the surgeon to educate you on the % risks you face . It is also essential that you only trust those doctors with your Bariatric Surgery who run a Bariatric programme where the team includes atleast nutritionists, endocrinologists, chest physicians, intensivists , endoscopists , anaesthesiologists , psychologists , rehabilitation trainers besides the surgeon The measures to be taken before and after the surgery are essential for good outcomes and one needs to follow instructions given by the team. Weight loss through bariatric surgery is not just an act but a journey that continues all through life. As a concerned patient, you will have to dedicate your time to learn about various means of keeping off the weight and change your habits for the better. You will have to confide in your dietitian regarding what you eat and drink. Each of these factors is significant in determining the success of the bariatric surgery. Finally the time taken for your surgery, though it is a known fact that shorter operative times have lesser anaesthesia and blood clotting risks decreasing the chances of pulmonary embolism. It is vital that you surgeon does a proper job and does not hurry and pride himself on being the fastest surgeon. The surgery usually takes about 45 to 90 minutes to perform and could take longer if it is a difficult case or a revisional Surgery.

Several types of weight loss surgeries are available to choose from including but not limited to the Gastric band , the Sleeve Gastrectomy, the Gastric Bypass, the mini or the single anastomoses Gastric Bypass the Sleeve DJB , the SADI S and the duodenal switch surgery. One size does not fit all similarly one type of Bariatric Surgery cannot be performed on all patients. Outcomes or success rates vary from patient to patient and depend on a number of factors such as age, BMI, associated diseases, region you are from, follow up programs and expertise of the surgeon.

Your surgeon knows that one method is not meant for everyone and therefore he would consider various factors like your age, BMI ,daily routine, lifestyle, eating habits, risk tolerances, and exercise habits before selecting what would suit you the most. The post-surgery care too will differ from one person to another. It is best to consider the benefits and downsides of each of the available procedures to make an informed decision.

Bariatric Surgery is a boon for those obese people who because of their weight have a host of complications and are at a serious risk of dying early. According to published data from the American Society for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery the chances of death from a Bariatric Surgery is less than 0.1 % similar to hernia and gall bladder surgeries and much less than surgeries like cardiac bypass or pancreatic or oesophageal cancer surgeries infact even less than childbirth. However it is imperative that you choose a centre which has ethical multidisciplinary teams as it has been proven that complication rates are lowest at high volume centres. Complication Rates vary from surgery to surgery and increase with complexity of the procedure Please ask your surgeon to explain in detail all the risks and benefits of various surgeries before making an informed opinion.