When the stage of morbid obesity is reached, surgery remains a useful and beneficial solution. This type of intervention is obviously not trivial. Consideration should be given to your doctor, general practitioner, endocrinologist or gastroenterologist. If purely cosmetic surgery is a short-term solution, stomach surgery, otherwise known as gastroplasty, appears to be a way likely to help you recover from obesity.
» Please note that this is a surgical procedure that is far from trivial
HOW DOES GASTROPLASTY ACT ON WEIGHT LOSS?
Gastroplasty essentially works by placing a gastric band in the stomach. This silicone element has the advantage of being flexible and fits around the upper part of the stomach. In fact, this organ corresponds to a pocket collecting ingested food, located between the esophagus and the small intestine, the volume of which is approximately one litre. The objective of gastroplasty is to reduce this pocket by dividing it into two parts, which gives it an hourglass shape.
The upper part, bent by the gastric band, therefore measures 15 to 25 cm3. It becomes the receptacle of food but, being less voluminous, it expands and fills more quickly than the initial stomach. The order of satiety is sent to the brain. Thus, a small amount of slowly swallowed and chewed food is enough to cut off the feeling of hunger. No longer hungry, the patient reduces the amount of food, automatically causing weight loss.
GASTRIC BAND: WHAT PRINCIPLE?
The gastric band has the advantage of being adjustable. Indeed, thanks to a small box placed under the skin, in particular at the level of the abdomen or under the left ribs, the gastric band can be loosened or tightened. The box is connected to the ring by a thin tube. To perform the operation of loosening or tightening the ring, it suffices to inject a few drops of liquid which have the effect of inflating or reducing the caliber of the ring. This operation is carried out by a simple local anesthesia of the skin.
The more this pocket is reduced, the more the passage of food is slowed down without disturbing their digestion. The goal is to restore the feeling of satiety generally altered by successive diets.
GASTROPLASTY: RESULTS AND CONSEQUENCES
Gastric banding requires hospitalization for one to two days. However, the surgical procedure remains relatively simple. The results following this surgery show a decrease in obesity with an average weight loss of two to four kilos per month. In the long term, it is estimated that, for obesity corresponding to a body mass index greater than 45, gastroplasty, in two years, halves the weight to be lost. Moreover, the gastroplasty being reversible, since the ring can be removed by simple laparoscopy, a greater serenity of decision reigns.
» As a result of the operation, nutritional deficiencies are rare even if oral vitamin supplements make up for any deficiencies
The patient should, however, expect to have a more restricted diet. Main factor of failure, snacking is obviously to be avoided. In addition, eating too much or too quickly is not recommended, otherwise you will vomit. In this sense, gastroplasty lowers food comfort.
GASTROPLASTY: READJUSTMENT AFTER THE OPERATION
During the first month, the gastric band will be adapted to your profile. Initially, it is not yet inflated and only large bites will make you feel its presence. This period is important in order to adjust your habits, by splitting your food intake around three meals and two snacks. The consistency of food goes through semi-liquid while water is to be banned during the meal.
» After the first month, the band is tightened unless the doctor thinks your weight loss or satiety level is okay
Once the ring is tightened, satiety occurs quickly and the risk of vomiting increases. The selection of foods is carried out according to their caloric value and size. Subsequently, the doctor tells the patient whether the size of the ring is sufficient or whether it needs to be readjusted in the third or sixth month.