Bariatric Surgery, a new opportunity for life. –

Bariatric surgery is a surgical specialty that includes surgeries whose objective is to produce weight loss and that are used for the treatment of obesity. It is an option to generate a change of life in those patients who see their condition as a problem, who have tried by all means to lose weight and have not succeeded; This alternative will allow them not only to achieve said objective, but also to improve their health and consequently their quality of life.

It is important to clarify that obesity is not measured in terms of kilos but by the body mass index (BMI), a value determined by the height and weight of each patient. A person is considered obese when their body mass index is equal to or greater than 30 kg/m2.

There are several types of bariatric surgery, in some the patient’s ability to consume food is reduced and in others, the absorption of these foods is also reduced: in the end it is the patient, after knowing the option suggested by his doctor, who will decide for one or the other. Among the most used in Colombia and the world we have:

Gastric sleeve or gastric sleeve, It consists of a reduction of about 80% of the size of the stomach, turning it into a long and thin tube so that the patient is satisfied with small portions of food. This does not alter the absorption of food. It is the most widely used in the United States, Colombia and at the Grupo Quirónsalud Clinic. It must have particular characteristics that make it highly effective for patients with obesity of different degrees. Antireflux surgery can be added in patients with this problem and can thus be used in a very diverse group of patients.

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Gastric bypass, consists of creating a small stomach so that the patient will feel satiety with small portions of food, in addition the small stomach is directly connected to the intestine in order to partially reduce the absorption of some foods. It is used in cases of severe obesity and produces excellent weight loss, similar to what a gastric sleeve produces.

SADIS type duodenal switch, In this surgery, in addition to reducing the size of the stomach, the absorption of food in the small intestine is changed, shortening its route between the stomach and the colon, allowing part of the ingested food to not be absorbed by the body, therefore that the patient can consume larger portions and a good part of these foods will not be absorbed. It is the bariatric surgery that produces the greatest weight loss of all those used today and requires periodic monitoring to avoid nutritional disorders.

At the Grupo Quirónsalud Clinic we have the Obesity and Bariatric Surgery Program under the coordination of the , a specialist in Laparoscopic and Bariatric surgery who tells us about it: “We have many stories of patients who tell us that their lives change after this surgery. The most important thing is that they know that they are not condemned to live with obesity if they want to make the change. This is an effective safe method, it improves the quality of life, health and self-esteem. It is important that it be carried out by a comprehensive team of experts and under safe technical conditions. It is a tool that, when used well, allows us to change people’s lives”

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