Bariatric surgery: Treatment options, Innovations, and Patient care

Sleeve gastrectomy is a procedure that involves removing a large portion of the stomach, leaving a smaller tubular pouch.

Gastric bypass, also known as Roux-en-Y, is a technique that alters the anatomy of the stomach and intestine to reduce the amount of food absorbed [2].

Long-term weight loss results from both techniques show significant weight loss, ranging from 23% to 35% of the patient’s total weight [1].

What happens during bariatric surgery? Who is eligible for bariatric surgery?

The development of new bariatric surgery techniques aims to improve patient outcomes and reduce complications [3].

Robot-assisted laparoscopy is now commonly used for sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass [4].

It offers benefits such as reduced postoperative pain, fewer complications, and faster recovery [4].

In addition, innovations in sutures and staples have helped to reduce postoperative complications, such as leakage and bleeding [5, 9, 10].

The management of patients who have undergone bariatric surgery has also evolved, with an emphasis on nutrition, exercise,e and psychological support [6, 11, 12].

Follow-up programs are essential to ensure the success and sustainability of weight loss, as well as to prevent long-term complications [6, 11, 12].

Clinical guidelines have been developed to assist in the postoperative management of patients [13].

The indications for bariatric surgery are primarily based on BMI ( body mass index) levels and obesity-related comorbidities [3, 14].

Absolute contraindications are rare, but some relative contraindications exist, including advanced age and a history of eating disorders, drug abuse,se or alcoholism [7, 8, 15, 16].

Patients and physicians must work together to determine the best treatment option based on individual needs and medical history [15, 16, 17].

Professional societies such as the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) offer recommendations for the indications and contraindications of bariatric surgery [17].

In addition to weight loss, bariatric surgery has a positive impact on patients’ quality of life, improving their overall health, mobility, and psychological well-being [18, 19].

However, it is essential to consider the psychological impact of bariatric surgery on patients, as some may experience adjustment difficulties, changes in eating behavior, or relationship problems [20].

Psychological support and behavioral interventions are therefore necessary to promote the long-term adaptation of patients [21].

Sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass are two effective treatment options for people suffering from obesity.

Innovations and technological advances have improved safety and outcomes for patients [3, 8, 9].

The indications and contraindications must be carefully considered before undergoing these procedures [13, 14].

Patients and physicians must work together to determine the best treatment option based on individual needs and medical history [15, 16, 17].

Follow-up programs are essential to ensure the success and sustainability of weight loss, as well as to prevent long-term complications [11, 12].

Postoperative care, including psychological support, is crucial to ensure the long-term adaptation of patients [20, 21].

Bariatric surgery can represent a significant financial investment for patients and healthcare systems.

Costs vary depending on the procedure, geographical area, and medical facility [26].

However, several studies have shown that bariatric surgery can be cost-effective in the long term, due to the reduction in expenses related to the treatment of comorbidities and the improvement in the quality of life of patients [27, 28].

Many countries and insurance schemes offer partial or full reimbursement of the costs of bariatric surgery, usually subject to certain conditions, such as the presence of obesity-related comorbidities and the failure of non-surgical weight loss attempts [29].

Patients should consult their healthcare providers and insurers to determine their eligibility and available reimbursement options.

Bariatric surgery, including sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass, offers effective treatment options for people suffering from obesity. Innovations and technological advancements have improved safety and patient outcomes.

The indications and contraindications, as well as the predictive factors of success, must be carefully considered before undergoing these procedures.

Post-operative care, including nutrition, exercise, and psychological support, is essential to ensure long-term success in weight loss and the prevention of complications.

Future research should focus on improving surgical techniques, evaluating the effectiveness of non-surgical interventions, understanding the biological and behavioral mechanisms that contribute to weight loss and weight maintenance, and studying psychological factors to optimize patient outcomes.

The costs of bariatric surgery can vary, but several studies have shown that surgery can be cost-effective in the long term due to reduced expenses related to the treatment of comorbidities and improved quality of life.

Patients and doctors must work together to determine the best treatment option based on individual needs, medical history, and eligibility for reimbursement.

In short, bariatric surgery is a valuable tool in the fight against obesity and its comorbidities. Continued progress in this field will help improve patient outcomes and reduce complications, thus offering a better quality of life and improved health for people suffering from obesity.

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