What is bariatric surgery?

  

Bariatric surgery is the surgical treatment of morbid obesity. It is currently considered the only effective treatment for reduction of excess weight and the maintenance of long-term results for life-long health and well being.

Basically, it consists of the reduction of stomach capacity by means of several different techniques chosen relative to a patient's specific needs, and the alteration of the intestinal path in order to lower absorption of fats and other components during the digestion process.

Most commonly used procedures are Gastroplasty, Sleeve Gastrectomy, Gastric Bypass, Adjustable Gastric Band, and others like Duodenal Switch or Gastro-Jejunal diversion.

In the past, bariatric surgery was performed by means of large abdominal incisions that resulted in prolonged recovery time and registered a significant number of complications. Currently, the patient is operated on through laparoscopy. This technique involves micro-incisions, each less than 10 mm, through which a camera and surgical instruments are passed, enabling the surgeon to work with high precision. This greatly aids in quick patient recovery with minimal post-surgery pains and damage to the abdominal wall, so our patients are back to a normal lifestyle within 2-3 weeks.

Demands from the inner-complexities of laparoscopic bariatric surgery require a team of two surgeons, both highly trained. In order to be considered sufficiently trained for this type of surgery, a surgeon must have performed at least 100 individual procedures and such experience only places a surgeon in the junior-advanced level. The optimal experience level is achieved after performing more than 400 individual cases.

The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery considers that a high performance surgical group is such that can account for over 400 surgeries and performs not less than 320 procedures per year. Our medical group always has two experienced surgeons in the operating room with our patients (see doctors profiles), and we have performed over 3,600 laparoscopic bariatric operations -- 80 operations per month with a complication rate below 1%.

Another important factor is the type of technology used in the process since not all available equipment is suitable for this type of medical procedure. High image resolution cameras and monitors are a must, along with high quality cutting/coagulation and other surgical instruments.

Bariatric Support Group has the combined effect of all necessary factors to provide high levels of medical safety, minimum risk for our patients and an extremely high percentage of successful interventions. Allow us to offer you a new perspective on life.

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