What is a bariatric surgeon?

The bariatric surgeons are physicians who perform bariatric surgery to promote weight loss in morbidly obese patients. Bariatric surgery is to divert or manipulate the gastrointestinal system to restrict the intake, absorption of foods, or both. After surgery, patients must commit to a lifetime of healthy habits, including healthy eating and physical activity, to ensure the success of the surgery. Here's a review of the training necessary to become a bariatric surgeon and the four types of bariatric surgery being performed diet solution program.

Training

Training to become a bariatric surgeon involves four years of medical school or osteopath, five to seven years of residency in general surgery, and one to two years of minimally invasive fellowship. During the residency, the physician receives training in multiple surgical subspecialties, including bariatric surgery. In minimally invasive grants, the amount of training focused on bariatric surgery varies from program to program. The surgeon should carefully review the details of the program to ensure that you receive adequate training in bariatric procedures.

Review

The bariatric surgeons review patients carefully to ensure that they are suitable for surgery. In general, candidates must be of legal age, have a body mass index (BMI) less than 35, have a medical condition related to obesity, have had only short-term results with diet and exercise, and have no a disease causing obesity. Candidates must pass a rigorous psychological test to show they are ready to make substantial changes in lifestyle.

Adjustable Gastric Banding

In the process of the adjustable gastric band a band is placed around the upper stomach to limit food intake in the stomach, and increase satiety. After surgery, the surgeon can tighten or loosen the band to inflate or deflate saline in an outpatient setting. This is the only bariatric procedure that is adjustable and reversible diet solution tips.

Gastric balloon

The gastric balloon is similar to the adjustable gastric band, but with an additional component. Like adjustable gastric banding, such limits food intake by creating a small stomach pouch. Also food absorption is reduced by connecting the bag to the bottom of the small intestine, bypassing much of the stomach and small intestine. Only the areas in contact with food can absorb nutrients.

Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal

In the biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch, a large portion of the stomach is removed, creating a "gastric sleeve". The sleeve is connected to the lower part of the small intestine, bypassing much of the small intestine. Bile and some digestive juices which decreases absorption resubmitted to the bottom of the small intestine. The procedure causes significant weight loss, as only the bottom of the small intestine may contain food and absorb nutrients, and the distance between the stomach and intestine causing malabsorption is shortened.

Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy

Vertical sleeve gastrectomy involves only the first portion of the biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch, as the creation of the gastric sleeve. This is done in patients who are at high risk for complications from more extensive procedures, due to excessive morbid obesity or other medical conditions.

Open and minimally invasive procedures

Bariatric procedures may be performed as "open" procedures (with a traditional abdominal incision) or minimally invasive. The latter, also called laparoscopic procedures involve multiple small incisions in the abdomen. Cameras and surgical instruments are inserted into the incisions. The cameras transmit images to a monitor, which the surgeon views the procedure. Laparoscopic methods may not be appropriate for patients who are severely obese, who have had previous abdominal surgery or have other medical conditions that complicate their situation.