Estimated reading time: 12 minutes 14 seconds

Is Stomach Reduction Surgery a Risky Surgery?

Struggling with excess weight is often a very challenging process, both physically and emotionally. Diets, exercises, popular health trends… Have you tried all of these but still did not get the desired result and lost your motivation?

At this point, stomach reduction surgery is a promising option for many people. However, this surgical intervention is a subject of curiosity with its risks as much as it offers a solution. “Is stomach reduction surgery a risky surgery?” is the biggest question mark in the minds of many people considering this process. In this article, we will discuss stomach reduction surgery in detail and examine its risks and who it is suitable for.

What is Stomach Reduction Surgery?

Stomach reduction surgery is a procedure also known as bariatric surgery in the medical literature, and its main purpose is to reduce the size of the stomach, allowing the person to feel full more quickly with less food. This surgery is generally recommended for individuals who have struggled with obesity for a long time and have not achieved results from other methods. One of the most common stomach reduction surgeries is sleeve gastrectomy. In this method, a large part of the stomach is removed, leaving a reduced stomach similar to the shape of a tube. A smaller stomach means less food intake and accelerated weight loss.

Of course, this is not only a process that is completed with an intervention in the operating room; it is also the beginning of a journey that requires the individual to completely change their lifestyle. Surgery is only a tool to facilitate weight loss. The success of this process depends on how the person manages his/her eating habits and daily activities in the postoperative period.

Who is Stomach Reduction Surgery Suitable for?

This surgical intervention, which is not suitable for everyone, is usually evaluated according to certain criteria. Individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 and above, that is, individuals diagnosed with morbid obesity, are the main candidates for this surgery. In addition, it may also be recommended for people with a BMI above 35 who have serious obesity-related health problems (for example, type 2 diabetes, hypertension or sleep apnea).

However, the decision for surgery is not limited to physical health. It is also important for candidates to be psychologically ready for the process, to be able to maintain their motivation to lose weight and to be determined to adopt the necessary lifestyle changes in the postoperative period. Surgeons and healthcare teams evaluate candidates both physically and psychologically and then decide whether surgery is appropriate.

At this point, it should be noted that stomach reduction surgery initiates the weight loss process, but it is up to the individual to make it sustainable. While the success of the surgery is long-term in patients who adopt a healthy lifestyle, the success of the surgery is lower in patients who continue their old habits after surgery.

Is Stomach Reduction Surgery a Risky Surgery?

Now let’s answer the question “Is Stomach Reduction Surgery a Risky Surgery”, which is the subject of our article. As with every surgical intervention, there are some risks in stomach reduction surgery. If you are aware of these risks, you can make a more informed decision in the process of deciding on surgery. Below we have listed the risks and complications of the surgical process for you:

General Surgery Risks

Stomach reduction surgery is a procedure performed under general anesthesia and this can bring some risks that may be involved in this type of surgery.

• Infection: During or after surgery, there is a risk of infection in the wound area or other parts of the body. This risk may vary depending on the hygiene standards of the hospital where the surgery is performed and the post-operative care process.
• Bleeding: Bleeding may occur during or after surgery. This is usually controlled, but in rare cases a blood transfusion may be required.
• Clot Formation: Prolonged immobilization can lead to clot formation, especially in the leg veins. In rare cases, these clots can move to the lungs and cause serious health problems.

Complications Specific to Stomach Reduction Surgery

We mentioned the risks of general surgery above. In this section, we will list the complications specific to this surgery:

• Leakage: Leakage may occur in the surgically cut and sutured parts of the stomach. This should be treated quickly as it can lead to serious infections.
• Gastric Reflux: Some patients may develop conditions such as acid reflux after stomach reduction surgery. This can affect quality of life and may require medication.
• Nutritional Deficiencies: With the reduction of stomach volume, problems in nutrient absorption may occur. In particular, deficiency of substances such as vitamin B12, iron and calcium can be seen. Regular check-ups and the use of vitamin supplements are therefore important.

Long-Term Health Risks

In addition to the risks immediately after surgery, long-term health problems may also occur:

• Weight Loss Stalling or Regain: Surgery initiates weight loss, but if the patient returns to an unhealthy lifestyle after surgery, they may regain some of the weight lost.
• Psychological Effects: In the postoperative period, psychological difficulties may occur due to slower weight loss than expected or inability to adapt to lifestyle changes. It may be useful to seek psychological support in this process.
• Dumping Syndrome: Some patients may experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or dizziness when they eat fast after surgery. This can be prevented by following postoperative dietary recommendations.

Stomach reduction surgery is generally a safe procedure when performed by a specialized team under the right conditions. However, it is important to remember that surgery is only a tool and how you use this tool for a successful outcome is entirely up to you. To minimize the risks of surgery, you should speak openly with your surgeon and fully comply with the requirements of the pre- and post-operative processes.

Safety of Stomach Reduction Surgery

Stomach reduction surgery is being practiced more and more widely today and medical success rates are increasing day by day. Many factors, from technological advances to the surgeon’s experience, play a role in this success. Here are the key elements that ensure the safety of surgery:

Impact of Technological and Medical Advances

In recent years, there have been significant advances in the technologies used in bariatric surgery. Minimally invasive methods such as laparoscopic surgery have shortened the operation time and accelerated the healing process. The risk of infection is lower in surgeries performed with this method and patients can return to their daily lives faster with less pain.

In addition, the suturing techniques used and the tests developed to reduce the risk of leakage during surgery play an important role in preventing complications. These innovations in medical devices both facilitate the surgeon’s work and increase patient safety.

The Importance of Surgeon Experience and Hospital Selection

The safety of stomach reduction surgery largely depends on the experience of the surgeon and the infrastructure of the healthcare facility where the surgery is performed. An experienced surgeon can not only perform the surgery successfully, but also quickly manage possible complications that may be encountered during surgery.

Choosing a hospital is as important as choosing a surgeon. A health center that has modern medical equipment and specializes in postoperative care is critical for patient safety. In addition, the presence of a multidisciplinary team (surgeon, anesthesiologist, dietician and psychologist) helps the patient to go through the postoperative period in a healthy way, both physically and psychologically.

The Role of Preoperative and Postoperative Processes in Risk Management

Comprehensive pre-operative assessments are vital to minimize risks. Blood tests, imaging modalities and detailed health history reviews help to identify potential problems that may arise during surgery. In addition, psychological evaluations are important to understand whether the patient is emotionally ready for the process.

In the postoperative period, regular check-ups play a critical role in the early diagnosis and treatment of complications. Following a special nutrition plan determined by a dietitian accelerates the healing process and increases the long-term success rate. At the same time, starting physical activity and adopting a healthy lifestyle ensures that weight loss is sustainable in the postoperative period.

The safety of stomach reduction surgery is directly related not only to the quality of the medical intervention but also to how the patient manages this process. With the opportunities offered by technology and the support of a specialized medical team, this surgery can be performed quite safely today. However, it is important to remember that the success of the surgery is not only about the surgery and that the patient must take an active role in this journey.

What Should Be Considered Before Surgery?

Although stomach reduction surgery has some risks like any surgery, it is very important to prepare for this process in line with your doctor’s recommendations in order to reduce the risks and increase the success rate of the surgery. Therefore, let us now look at what needs to be considered during this process.

Health Screenings and Psychological Assessments

Before the surgery, your surgeon will ask you for detailed health scans. These scans are necessary to determine whether you are suitable for surgery. Blood tests, heart and lung function tests, as well as evaluation of other obesity-related health problems are the basis of the process.

Psychological evaluations are also of great importance. Having a mood that can adapt to lifestyle changes in the postoperative period is one of the factors affecting the long-term success of the surgery.

Preoperative Preparations

It is vital to follow the instructions given by the doctor before surgery. These instructions may include preoperative diet, fluid intake and avoiding smoking and alcohol for a certain period of time.

Postoperative Period: Recovery and Reducing Risks

The postoperative period is perhaps the most important phase of this process. To support your recovery and minimize the risks, it is necessary to follow some rules.

The Importance of Diet and Physical Activities

Eating habits need to be reshaped in the postoperative period. This process, which starts with a liquid diet in the first days, involves a gradual transition to soft foods and then to solid foods. This plan, prepared under the control of a dietitian, both accelerates the person’s recovery and supports weight loss.

In addition, physical activities also play an important role. Starting with light walks and gradually switching to brisk exercises improves the overall health of the person and accelerates the weight loss process.

Controls and Complication Management

Regular post-operative medical check-ups are critical for early diagnosis and treatment of possible complications. During the check-ups, blood values, vitamin levels and general health status are monitored. In addition, any complaints can be intervened quickly.

Being in constant communication with your doctor in the postoperative period will reduce the risks of complications and make your recovery process go more smoothly.

Stomach reduction surgery is a safe and effective method when managed with the right information and care. However, in this process, you should not forget that the surgery is a start and the key to a healthy life is in your hands.

For detailed information, you can contact Aktif International Hospital and make an appointment with our surgeons.