BARIATRIC surgery is the collective name for different types of weight loss surgeries that ultimately make changes to the digestive system by reducing the absorption of nutrients or by limiting how much one eat.

It is performed on the morbidly obese who understand and accepts the risks and benefits to surgery, and is fully dedicated to follow-up and lifestyle changes.

Dr Charan Donkor, who specialises in general and bariatric surgery at Baptist Health South Florida in the USA, told the Jamaica Observer that, though it might be considered a last resort in patients who have exhausted all other modalities in weight loss and have not seen clinically significant results, bariatric surgery is gaining traction worldwide.

General, laparoscopic and obesity surgeon Dr Alfred Dawes told the Sunday Observer in a recent interview that, in terms of weight management, bariatric surgery is the only method of weight loss with durable results. He had highlighted that there is a 10 per cent success rate with lifestyle and dietary changes over the course of 10 years, when compared to an 85 per cent success rate with bariatric surgery.

“The most common types are the laparoscopic adjustable band, sleeve gastrectomy, and the Roux en Y gastric bypass,” Dr Donkor said, adding that it is currently more popular in women than men.

Pointing out that there is no specific age limit to having bariatric surgery done, Dr Donkor admitted that patients must be acceptable surgical candidates to undergo surgery.

“In patients where morbid obesity is the cause of their medical problems, bariatric surgery is usually extremely helpful to the patient,” the surgeon shared.

He however, also said that bariatric surgery is not a quick fix as it results in sustained weight loss and lifestyle changes.

“There are many cases in which patients have regained weight after surgery,” Dr Donkor said. “In these cases, the surgeon may consult with the patient to determine the reason for weight gain, this may be surgical or poor habits after surgery.”