Gastric reduction surgery – for whom is it recommended?

Gastric reduction surgery is a procedure that allows you to lose weight relatively quickly. Almost everyone knows it, but unfortunately it is not such an obvious remedy for overweight, obesity, and even morbid obesity. Stomach reduction is a method that is part of a comprehensive fight to maintain a healthy body weight, which is the basis for maintaining the health and good condition of the entire body.

Such a serious interference in the human body must not be treated as a cure for all evil and as an ordinary remedy that will ensure an impeccable figure. The gastric reduction procedure is not an alternative to a healthy lifestyle, proper diet and maintaining adequate physical activity. However, such an operation definitely facilitates the introduction and adherence to healthy eating habits, and thus – achieving the correct BMI becomes a bit easier. And while more and more obese people think that reducing their stomach size will solve their problems, they are definitely wrong. This procedure is associated with the risk of many complications, the need to strictly follow many rules, the breaking of which may result in situations that are even life-threatening. For all these reasons, gastric reduction surgery should not be considered almost a cosmetic procedure. This is the last resort when all other methods fail.

Stomach – volume reduction

Modern medicine offers several methods of reducing the volume of the stomach. One of them is the so-called sleeve gastrectomy. During the procedure, as much as 80% of the stomach is removed, leaving a small part of it in the body. The procedure can be performed traditionally, i.e. cutting the abdominal wall, or using a laparoscope, using a much less invasive method. Laparoscopy allows the patient to return to normal life much faster, while traditional surgery requires a long recovery period. Patients must be aware that almost one in ten people experience complications. As a rule, they are harmless but annoying. These are mainly minor local infections, digestive difficulties or slight bleeding. Unfortunately, in 1-2% of patients, much more serious complications such as pulmonary embolism, heavy bleeding or severe infections develop.

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Another method of reducing the volume of the stomach is to wear a so-called bandage. During the procedure, the surgeon places a special silicone ring around the top of the stomach. In this way, the volume of food that can enter the stomach at one time is reduced, so the person after the procedure can only eat small meals. This procedure is much less invasive than gastric resection and, importantly, it is a reversible medical procedure.

Another procedure that is successfully used mainly in morbidly obese patients is vertical gastroplasty. This method is a combination of both of the above-mentioned treatments. We are dealing here with a partial resection of the stomach and the placement of a bandage. This type of surgery is, however, a last-resort procedure, because there is a very high risk of complications, and doctors also indicate a relatively low effectiveness of the procedure.

Stomach reduction – and what next?

The procedure of reducing the volume of the stomach itself is only a component of the entire process of achieving the correct weight. In the first period after the surgery, patients can basically eat only liquid food, with time soft meals are added. After about two months, the menu is expanded to include solids, but this should be done slowly and in moderation. Everything should be chewed very carefully so as not to miss the moment when the body becomes saturated.

The patient must follow a low calorie diet as this is also a prerequisite for achieving the target weight. For this reason, you have to give up caloric fruit juices, cakes and desserts. All meals should be easy to digest, but they must contain all the necessary nutrients or your body will react badly. There is an increased risk of anemia and many other diseases. In the initial period, the patient should consult a dietitian who is able to compose an optimal menu.

Stomach shrinkage – BMI will not return to normal automatically

Reducing the volume of the stomach is a procedure that is used in patients with morbid obesity, but when all other methods of getting rid of excess body weight fail, and the patient’s weight threatens his health and even life. One can qualify for the procedure when the diets used did not bring any results, when the weight loss did not occur as a result of increased physical activity, and when psychotherapy also did not bring the desired results.

The patient must be aware that if he does not make efforts to change his lifestyle and eating habits, the surgery will not help, and may even harm him. Therefore, when making a decision, the doctor must realistically assess the patient’s situation, and the patient must show strong motivation and determination in action, because only then will the surgical reduction of the stomach make sense.