What is Bariatric Surgery ?
1 November 2024 –
Ernesto Escobar,MD
Bariatric surgery, or weight loss surgery, consists of various types of procedures that primarily focus on reducing the size of the stomach and the absorption of fats, thereby accelerating the patient’s metabolism with the aim of improving their quality of life and combating obesity-related diseases.
The first bariatric surgery was performed in the United States in the 1950s, and since then, various techniques have emerged and evolved.
Gastric bypass originated in the 1960s, and despite the variations it has undergone over the years, it remains the gold-standard procedure worldwide.
The two most commonly performed procedures today are gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y) and sleeve gastrectomy, both aimed at accelerating the patient’s metabolism to improve their quality of life and combat obesity-related diseases.
To determine if a patient is a candidate for surgery, we must first establish that excess weight corresponds to an accumulation of fat, based on which we calculate the Body Mass Index (BMI). This is essentially the ratio of our weight in kilograms divided by our height in meters squared (kg/m²).
Many years ago, the decision to operate on a patient was based on them being classified as morbidly obese (BMI over 40). However, with scientific evidence now supported worldwide, it has been determined that it is advisable to consider surgery for obesity at lower BMI thresholds, depending on the presence of obesity-related diseases (BMI of 30 or higher).
