Bariatric surgery vs Liposuction

Bariatric surgery vs Liposuction : Obesity is one the major medical concerns of the modern world especially in industrialized countries. It has been proven to cause cardiovascular diseases and diabetes type 2 which can result in premature death and shorter life expectancy. Therefor preventing and treating obesity has become one of the most important public health issues of our time. The solution is to lose weight which is usually done through diet and exercise. But for some individuals these may not be enough. The best option in these cases is surgical interventions. There are many different choices of surgeries for overweight and obesity including liposuction and bariatric surgery (which has many types itself). In this article we will discuss about how these procedures are done and what are their advantages and disadvantages. We hope by the end of this article you find out which surgery is the right choice for you.

Liposuction vs Bariatric surgery

Liposuction, also known as lipoplasty or body contouring, is a type of cosmetic surgery in which excess fat deposits under the skin are sucked out through small cuts. It can be done on different parts of the body such as thighs, ankles, knees, upper arms, chin, breasts, abdomen and buttocks. It’s done by a plastic surgeon and usually require an overnight stay.

It is done under general anesthesia. First the surgeon cleans and sterilizes the targeted area and makes small incisions. After that the fat deposits need to break down or liquefy which is done by injecting tumescent fluid under the skin, guided ultrasound or lasers. Then the dislodged fat is vacuumed by a specialized liposuction machine or a large syringe. The surgeon may remove as much as 5 liters (11 pounds) of fat. To prevent the fluid buildup you may be fitted with temporary drainage tubes which will be removed two to three days after surgery.

Overall the procedure is safe but there may be some side effects such as numbness or tingling at the incision site, infection, scarring, loose or baggy skin (you may need additional procedures to remove them), uneven or irregular results (asymmetry), etc. Although very rare but the complications of this procedure can be fatal like fat embolism, shock, excessive bleeding or blood clotting. That’s why it’s important that the procedure must be done by a skilled and experienced surgeon and at a well-equipped facility.

The results of liposuction are visible immediately after surgery in the form of less fat visible in the targeted area. However liposuction doesn’t help with obesity, excess weight, or any of the related risks, therefor it’s not the right option for a person desiring or requiring weight loss.

Liposuction is intended for people who might be slightly overweight (BMI<29), or who have accumulated fat deposits in different parts of their body especially for areas of fat that are not responsive to diet or exercise.

Candidates for liposuction should have good skin tone and elasticity, be very healthy, have a strong immune system and have no current conditions of diabetes, nor any blood circulation issues.

Liposuction vs Bariatric surgery , Liposuction is less invasive than Bariatric surgery, you’ll see instant results and has a quicker recovery time.

Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery is a medical treatment for obesity which has many types including Gastric bypass, Gastric sleeve and LAP-BAND surgery. They are indicated in cases of morbid obesity, a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more, or a BMI of 35 or more with high-risk comorbid conditions, such as sleep apnea, Pickwickian syndrome (also called obesity hypoventilation syndrome), diabetes mellitus, or degenerative joint disease, fatty liver disease and hypertension. Bariatric surgeries are usually done by laparoscopic technique which is a minimally invasive procedure and is done by making 4-5 small incisions on the abdomen.

Gastric Bypass surgery makes the stomach smaller and allows food to bypass part of the small intestine. The most common gastric bypass surgery is a Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and it’s done in three steps: First, the surgeon uses staples to create a smaller pouch at the top of the stomach; then the small intestine is divided into two parts. Finally, this pouch is surgically connected to the middle portion of the small intestine, bypassing the upper portion of the intestinal tract. This will change the metabolic function of the patient by shortening a part of the small intestine. Therefor the body will gradually utilize all the stored body fat and thus gives a very physiological, gradual and controlled weight loss.

Gastric Sleeve or Sleeve Gastrectomy involves resection of the portion of the stomach that produces Ghrelin (the hormone that makes you feel hungry). As a result, patients who undergo Sleeve Gastrectomy report a reduced appetite which allows them to lose weight. In this method about 80% of the stomach is resected therefor you’ll take in less food before you feel full.

LAP-BAND or gastric band surgery involves placing a specialized band around the upper portion of the stomach. This ring creates a smaller pouch, reducing your digestive capacity.

Like in liposuction, in bariatric surgeries you may need a temporary drainage tubes as well.

Bariatric surgery doesn’t lead to instant results; instead it causes rapid weight loss within three to six months after the procedure. This is caused by changes in your diet accompanied by lifestyle changes.

After bariatric surgery, you’ll be on an all-liquid or pureed food diet for two to three weeks after the surgery. Then you’ll gradually and carefully reintroduce soft and then solid foods to your diet. You’ll be on a strict diet and will have to make permanent changes to your eating habits.

Patients undergoing bariatric surgery can expect to lose as much as half of their weight, depending on the type of surgery and commitment to a healthier lifestyle.

Side effects of bariatric surgeries include bleeding, infection, blood clots, hernia, diarrhea and Dumping syndrome.

The rapid weight loss can also cause symptoms like vitamin or nutrient deficiency, body aches, mood swings, hair loss, fatigue and gallstones (especially if you lose more than 10kg in a month, and in some cases the gall bladder will have to be removed which is called a cholecystectomy).

A gastric bypass can also trigger anastomosis, where a new connection between the stomach and the intestine is formed.

Bariatric surgery improves glucose and insulin levels and can even lead to resolution of type 2 diabetes, improves cardiovascular health, boosts fertility and alleviates POCS symptoms, relieves joint pain and eliminates sleep apnea.

In conclusion, Bariatric surgery is a type of Gastrointestinal Surgery done for the purpose of reducing weight and weight-related co-morbidities. Whereas Liposuction is a Cosmetic Surgery done for body shaping and contouring.

Last word about bariatric surgery vs liposuction

If you are still wondering what method is the right choice for you or if you have any questions, you can contact our support team and they will answer all your questions as soon as possible. Mediranco health tourism company will also provide you consultation with the best and most experienced surgeons. Rest assured that by choosing Mediranco you will be provided with the best care possible at the best possible price.