Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery (or surgery for weight loss) is used in the treatment of obesity. Like any surgical procedure can lead to complications and should therefore be considered as a last resort when the dietary modification and drug treatment have not been successful.

Bariatric surgery depends on several principles, the most common is the reduction in volume of the stomach, producing a feeling of early satiety (with an adjustable gastric band) while others will reduce the length of the intestine with the food contact, reducing direct absorption (gastric bypass).

The surgery that used the tape or band is reversible while the operations in which shortens the intestine are not. Some laparoscopic procedures can be performed. Complications of bariatric surgery are frequent.

Two large studies have demonstrated a mortality benefit from bariatric surgery. A marked decrease in the risk of diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Weight loss was more pronounced in the first months after surgery, but the benefit was maintained over the long term. In one study there was an unexplained increase in deaths from accidents and suicides not outweighed the benefits in terms of prevention of disease. Gastric bypass surgery was approximately two times more effective procedure for the gastric band.