General Surgery Specialist Türker Karabuğa MD gave information about bariatric surgery. Stating that sleeve gastrectomy surgery is generally used in the treatment of obesity in the world and in Turkey,Türker Karabuğa MD said that with sleeve gastrectomy surgery, patients lost 50 percent of their current weight. Türker Karabuğa MD stated that there are many surgical methods in obesity surgery and that they can be grouped under two main headings, “Obesity surgery is an effective and reliable method if it is applied by experienced surgeons and equipped centers. In our country, sleeve gastrectomy surgery is generally performed. Apart from this, gastric balloon surgery is also preferred in patients who are at risk of having sleeve gastrectomy surgery. Stating that there are some criteria for obesity surgery, Karabuğa MD “Individuals with a body mass index above 40, between the ages of 18-65, in the absence of obesity for at least 3 years, in the absence of hormonal diseases, in those who cannot lose weight for at least 1 year despite drug and diet therapy, and who are not addicted to alcohol or drugs. If the patient understands the method to be applied and is able to adapt after the surgery, obesity surgery can be applied to those who have an acceptable surgical risk.Giving information about sleeve gastrectomy surgery, Karabuga MD said: “In sleeve gastrectomy surgery, it is the process of turning the stomach into a tube up to the junction of the stomach and esophagus with the help of a catheter inserted into the stomach with the help of special tools, starting from the stomach about 4-6 cm from the pylorus, which is the exit of the stomach.” Saying that bariatric surgery carries a risk, as in every surgical intervention, Karabuğa MD said, “Today, thanks to technological developments in medical instruments, increasing surgical experience, developing intensive care and anesthesia support, complication rates have decreased considerably compared to the years when bariatric surgery first started. Considering the vital risks that patients face due to morbid obesity, the risk of bariatric surgery is at an acceptable level. Noting that when everything goes well in sleeve gastrectomy surgery, the operation takes approximately 45-60 minutes, Türker Karabuğa MD said, “However, considering the pre-operative anesthesia preparation, sleeping-waking and the follow-up period in the postoperative waiting room, it is possible to stay in the operating room for approximately 2-2.5 hours. The patient, who is hospitalized for 3 days after the operation and given diet training, is informed about the drugs to be used and is discharged. It is followed at regular intervals,” he said. Stating that a gastric balloon (gastric balloon) is applied to overweight patients with a body mass index above 50 and high-risk patients for surgery and to reduce the risk, Türker Karabuğa MD said, “The procedure is performed endoscopically and for about 30 minutes, without the patient feeling anything under sedation. The balloon placed in the stomach is inflated with air and remains in the stomach for 6 months. During this period, the patient loses 30-60% of their excess weight. It can be removed at any time and applied at regular intervals.
LOTS OF LIQUID SHOULD BE CONSUMED
Expressing that attention should be paid to nutrition after gastric balloon application, Karabuğa said, “After the application, contractions and cramps in the stomach may occur. Nausea and vomiting may occur, especially in the first 3 days. Some medications are started for these side effects of the balloon and liquid foods are given especially for the first 3 days. From the 4th day onwards, solid foods can be started.