Bariatric Surgery Overview

What is Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric surgery, also known as weight-loss surgery, is a group of surgical procedures designed to help individuals with severe obesity lose weight and improve their overall health. These surgeries work by altering the digestive system, either by reducing the size of the stomach or rerouting the intestines, to limit food intake, reduce calorie absorption, and influence hunger hormones.

Bariatric surgery is more than just a weight-loss tool, it’s a lifesaving, metabolic intervention that can dramatically improve or even resolve obesity-related conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, joint pain, and fatty liver disease.

What Conditions Can Bariatric Surgery Help Treat?

Bariatric surgery is highly effective in reducing the risk or severity of chronic, obesity-related health conditions, including:

· Type 2 diabetes

· High cholesterol (hyperlipidemia)

· High blood pressure (hypertension)

· Obstructive sleep apnea

· Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

· Heart disease and stroke

· Kidney disease

· Osteoarthritis and joint pain

· Certain cancers are linked to obesity

Types of Bariatric Surgery Procedures

Bariatric surgery is typically performed using minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques, which involve small incisions, less pain, faster recovery, and fewer complications compared to traditional open surgery.

1. Sleeve Gastrectomy (Gastric Sleeve)

· Removes ~80% of the stomach, leaving a banana-shaped tube.

· Reduces appetite by lowering hunger hormones.

· Simple, low-risk, and highly effective for weight loss.

2. Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB)

· Creates a small stomach pouch and bypasses a portion of the small intestine.

· Limits food intake and nutrient absorption.

· Highly effective for managing type 2 diabetes and controlling reflux.

3. Mini Gastric Bypass (One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass - OAGB)

· Simplified version of the gastric bypass with one intestinal connection.

· Shorter procedure time and hospital stay.

· Excellent long-term weight loss and metabolic results.

4. Adjustable Gastric Band (AGB)

· A silicone band is placed around the upper stomach to create a small pouch.

· Adjustable and removable.

· Lower complication rate but less effective than other surgeries.

5. Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS)

· Combines sleeve gastrectomy with bypassing a large portion of the small intestine.

· Most effective for severe obesity and type 2 diabetes.

· The highest weight loss, but also the highest nutritional risk.

6. Single Anastomosis Duodeno-Ileal Bypass with Sleeve Gastrectomy (SADI-S)

· A newer, simplified variation of BPD/DS.

· One intestinal connection, strong diabetes control.

· Ideal for patients who have already had a gastric sleeve.

How Does Bariatric Surgery Work?

· Restricts stomach size to reduce food intake.

· Changes gut hormones to suppress hunger and increase satiety.

· Bypasses part of the intestines in some procedures to reduce calorie and nutrient absorption.

· Improves metabolism, even before significant weight loss.

Benefits of Bariatric Surgery

Risks and Complications

Like any surgery, bariatric procedures come with potential risks, including:

· Bleeding or infection

· Blood clots

· Hernias

· Bowel obstruction or leakage

· Nutritional deficiencies (especially in bypass procedures)

· “Dumping syndrome” after eating high-sugar foods

· Reflux (more common in sleeve gastrectomy)

When Should You Consult a Bariatric Surgeon?

You should consider consulting a bariatric surgeon if:

· Your BMI is ≥ 40, or ≥ 35 with health issues like diabetes or sleep apnea

· You have tried diet, exercise, and medications without lasting success

· You are motivated to adopt lifelong lifestyle changes

· You ae experiencing health complications from obesity

Why Choose Medassure for Bariatric Surgery in India?

At Medassure Healthcare, we connect patients with India’s top bariatric surgeons and internationally accredited hospitals offering advanced surgical options. Whether you need a gastric sleeve, bypass, or revision surgery, we guide your journey from evaluation to transformation.

Our partner hospitals utilise the latest laparoscopic and robotic techniques, ensuring safer, less painful surgeries with faster recovery. Our expert surgeons are recognised for their excellence in treating severe obesity and complex metabolic disorders.

Medassure offers:

· Expert case review & eligibility assessment

· Pre-op guidance & post-op nutritional plans

· Transparent, cost-effective packages

· International patient support: travel, stay, and recovery

· Multilingual care coordinators and round-the-clock assistance

Take the First Step Toward a Healthier Future

Transform your health and reclaim your confidence with trusted, life-changing bariatric surgery. Let Medassure Healthcare be your partner on your journey to long-term wellness.