Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital issued the following announcement on May 14.
More and more Americans are opting for bariatric surgery as an effective way to lose excess weight. It’s easy to see why: not only does the appetite-reducing procedure typically deliver dramatic results much more quickly and reliably than many other methods, but it’s also been shown to reduce mortality from many obesity-related conditions such as coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes.
But is bariatric surgery right for you? If you’re at least 60 pounds heavier than your ideal weight or have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, you might be a good candidate. (Don’t know your BMI? Just click here.)
As effective as bariatric surgery can be, it gets even better. Thanks to cutting-edge robotics technology, the procedures are safer, less painful and more precise than ever before. At the AMITA Health Center for Bariatrics & Weight Loss, robotic-assisted surgery is ushering in a new era of life-changing surgery with fewer and milder side effects.
How Robotic Surgery Makes for Happier Patients
A robot-assisted surgery system typically consists of a set of robotic arms equipped with high-definition cameras and precise surgical tools. These arms are then controlled by the surgeon, who sits at a console nearby. The final piece is the high-definition screens that allow the doctor to view the area up close and in perfect detail.
Because the robot arms are much smaller and more precise than human hands, the surgery can be done with much smaller incisions. That means a shorter recovery time and hospital stay. Finally, the simple fact that the surgery requires less direct human interaction means the patient’s risk of developing an infection is greatly decreased.
Which Robotic Bariatric Surgery Is Right for You?
There are a few different types of weight loss surgeries that can be performed with robotic assistance, and which one will best suit your needs is a decision you should reach with your doctor. Here are two examples of common bariatric surgeries that can be performed with robotic assistance and how they work to curb your appetite.
Sleeve Gastrectomy
Also called a gastric sleeve surgery, this procedure reduces the volume of the stomach by about 80%, turning it into a banana-shaped “sleeve” leading to the intestines. The newly shrunken stomach feels full faster and after eating less, which generally leads to the consumption of fewer calories. Plus, a stomach that’s undergone this procedure produces less of the hormone ghrelin, which produces the feeling of being hungry.
A sleeve gastrectomy is a less complex operation than some other forms of bariatric surgery and can be a good option for patients with medical issues that make such surgeries too risky. It’s also sometimes performed as a preliminary step for a gastric bypass for patients with a BMI of 50 or higher.
Gastric Bypass
This operation reduces the stomach even more than a sleeve gastrectomy, leaving only a small pouch in the shortened digestive system. It also circumvents the portion of the small intestine known as the duodenum, reducing the digestive system’s absorptive properties.
Because it doesn’t just reduce the stomach but also modulates digestion, a gastric bypass can have a greater overall effect than a gastric sleeve. Typically, a person who has undergone a gastric bypass and remains committed to a healthy diet and lifestyle can lose about 2/3 of their excess weight within two years — and that’s on top of the procedure’s proven ability to improve conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea.
If you are eligible for a bariatric weight loss surgery — check your BMI to see for yourself — then you are eligible for robotic-assisted bariatric weight loss surgery. Schedule an initial consultation with an AMITA Health weight loss specialist today.
Original source can be found here.
Source: Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital
Alerts Sign-up