Bariatric surgery is more than just a weight loss procedure—it’s a tool that can significantly improve your health and quality of life. If you’ve ever wondered how bariatric surgery works and why it’s so effective, you’re in the right place. Understanding the ins and outs of the procedure, as well as its benefits, can help you make informed decisions about your health.

In this blog, we’ll break down how the surgery works, what happens during the procedure, and the benefits you can expect after undergoing bariatric surgery.

What is Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric surgery refers to surgical procedures designed to help individuals lose weight by altering the digestive system. These surgeries are typically recommended for people who are obese (BMI 30+) and have struggled to lose weight through diet and exercise alone. Bariatric surgery can also be an option for those who have obesity-related health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea.

How Bariatric Surgery Works

Bariatric surgery works by changing how your digestive system handles food. There are several types of bariatric surgery, but they generally fall into three main categories: restrictive procedures, malabsorptive procedures, and combination procedures. Each type works differently, but all aim to help you lose weight by limiting how much food you can eat or how your body absorbs calories.

1. Restrictive Procedures

Restrictive procedures limit the amount of food your stomach can hold, helping you feel full faster and consume fewer calories. The most common type of restrictive bariatric surgery is gastric sleeve surgery (also known as sleeve gastrectomy).

In gastric sleeve surgery, a large portion of the stomach is removed, leaving a smaller, sleeve-shaped stomach. This new stomach can hold much less food, so you’ll feel full after eating smaller portions. Gastric sleeve surgery also affects the hormones in your gut, which can help reduce hunger and improve blood sugar control.

2. Malabsorptive Procedures

Malabsorptive procedures change how your body absorbs calories and nutrients from the food you eat. One of the most common malabsorptive procedures is Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

During gastric bypass surgery, a small pouch is created at the top of the stomach, which is then connected directly to the small intestine. This bypasses most of the stomach and a portion of the intestines, reducing how many calories and nutrients your body can absorb. By altering the digestive process, gastric bypass can lead to significant weight loss and improvements in health conditions related to obesity.

3. Combination Procedures

Some types of bariatric surgery combine both restrictive and malabsorptive approaches. The duodenal switch is an example of a combination procedure. It involves removing part of the stomach (similar to the gastric sleeve) and bypassing a large portion of the small intestine. This not only limits how much you can eat but also reduces how many calories and nutrients your body absorbs.

Combination procedures can be highly effective for weight loss but are generally more complex than restrictive-only surgeries.

What Happens During Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric surgery is typically performed using minimally invasive techniques, such as laparoscopy. This means that instead of making one large incision, the surgeon makes several small incisions in the abdomen and uses a tiny camera and special surgical tools to perform the procedure.

Here’s a general overview of what happens during bariatric surgery:

1. Anesthesia: You’ll be given general anesthesia to ensure you are asleep and pain-free during the procedure.
2. Incisions: The surgeon makes small incisions in your abdomen to insert the surgical instruments.
3. Reshaping the Stomach: Depending on the type of surgery, the surgeon will either remove part of the stomach, place a band around it, or create a small pouch at the top of the stomach.
4. Rerouting the Intestines (if applicable): In malabsorptive procedures like gastric bypass, the surgeon will reroute a portion of the intestines to change how your body absorbs food.
5. Closure: The incisions are closed, and you’ll be taken to the recovery room to wake up from anesthesia.

Most bariatric surgeries take about one to three hours to complete, and patients typically stay in the hospital for one to two days after surgery.

The Benefits of Bariatric Surgery

Now that you understand how bariatric surgery works, let’s talk about the benefits. Bariatric surgery can offer life-changing advantages for both your physical and emotional well-being. Here are some of the key benefits:

1. Significant Weight Loss

The most obvious benefit of bariatric surgery is weight loss. Many patients lose 50% or more of their excess weight within the first 12 to 18 months after surgery. This weight loss can help you feel more confident and improve your mobility and quality of life.

2. Improved Health

Bariatric surgery doesn’t just help you lose weight—it can also improve or even resolve obesity-related health conditions. Many patients see improvements in type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and high cholesterol after surgery. In some cases, these conditions go into complete remission.

3. Better Quality of Life

Losing weight and improving your health can have a profound impact on your emotional and mental well-being. Many people find that they have more energy, can participate in activities they previously couldn’t, and experience improved self-esteem.

4. Long-Term Weight Management

One of the reasons bariatric surgery is so effective is that it helps people maintain their weight loss over the long term. By altering your digestive system, bariatric surgery makes it easier to stick to healthy eating habits and maintain a lower weight.