Final answer:
Bariatric surgery encompasses various techniques such as Gastric Bypass, Sleeve Gastrectomy, Adjustable Gastric Banding, and Duodenal Switch, which alter the digestive system to promote weight loss. These surgeries are effective when diet, exercise, and medications fail to help individuals with extreme obesity achieve substantial long-term weight loss.
Step-by-step explanation:
Different Techniques of Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery is a collection of weight-loss surgeries designed to modify the digestive system to limit the intake of food and/or absorption of nutrients from food. The most common bariatric surgeries include:
- Gastric Bypass: Often referred to as Roux-en-Y, this surgery involves creating a small pouch from the stomach and connecting it directly to the small intestine, bypassing a large part of the stomach and the duodenum. This limits food intake and nutrient absorption.
- Sleeve Gastrectomy: Also known as the gastric sleeve, this procedure involves removing a portion of the stomach, creating a tubular gastric sleeve. This reduces the stomach's size and therefore its capacity to hold food.
- Adjustable Gastric Banding: Commonly called the lap band, involves placing an inflatable band around the upper portion of the stomach to create a small stomach pouch above the band with a narrow opening to the rest of the stomach. This slows down food consumption and promotes a feeling of fullness.
- Duodenal Switch: A more complex procedure that combines sleeve gastrectomy with intestinal bypass. A large part of the stomach is removed, but the valve that releases food to the small intestine is left, along with a limited part of the small intestine that normally mixes with food.
The effectiveness of these surgeries varies, and they all come with potential risks such as nutritional deficiencies, infections, and other complications. However, when performed on eligible individuals who have not succeeded in losing weight through diet and exercise, bariatric surgery can lead to significant long-term weight loss and health improvements.
People typically qualify for bariatric surgery if they have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or higher (extreme obesity), or if they have a BMI of 35 or higher and health problems such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or severe sleep apnea.