Bariatric Surgery and Surgeon Information

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History of Bariatric Surgery | Weight Loss Surgery

The history of bariatric surgery dates back decades, but the most rapid advances have occurred in the past 10 years or so, and given the reality of the growing obesity problem in countries all over the world, the most significant advances in the realm of bariatric surgery are surely yet to come.

Initial Stages of Weight Loss Surgery | Bariatric Surgery

The first bariatric surgery on record can be traced to 1954, and the surgical technique was what was known then as an intestinal bypass. Basically, the surgeon linked the upper and lower regions of the small intestine in order to bypass the middle section, which is where the absorption of food takes place. The theory behind this procedure was that bypassing this middle section would reduce the number of calories the body takes in, thereby reducing the patient’s weight as a result.

Advances in Weight Loss Surgery | Bariatric Surgeons

Small advances continued to be made on the heels of this initial surgery, and the next big “breakthrough” occurred in 1966 with an operation by Dr. Edward E. Mason of the University of Iowa. Dr. Mason used staples to create a partition across the top end of the stomach. The result was that patients would feel full while eating less, and the technique became known as gastric bypass.

Refinement and Technology of Weight Loss Surgery | Bariatric Surgery

After these two breakthroughs were achieved, medical science in general stepped in and began to advance the techniques established by these foundational procedures. Examples of these advances included the use of rubber bands and balloons in the stomach as opposed to staples, and these materials are not only safer but also less painful in nature.

Perhaps the greatest advances made, however, involve technology. In its “traditional” form, bariatric surgery was and still sometimes is quite invasive. However, as medical science continued to grow and improve, other options became available. Specifically, the concept of laparoscopic surgery became more and more common, and this procedure significantly reduces the risks involved with bariatric surgery.

Laparoscopic surgery allows surgeons to cut much smaller incisions in the affected area, and to use smaller instruments that are guided by a camera in order to install a device into the patient’s abdomen. This not only reduces risks involved with incisions that include bleeding and infections, but also tends to speed recovery time and overall patient comfort.

The history of bariatric surgery may span more decades than many think, but the past 10 years have shown real progress, and the forthcoming 10 years will surely bring even more exciting advances to the world of bariatric surgery.

Bariatric Surgery Statistics | Weight Loss Surgery

Bariatric surgery statistics, when analyzed, tend to show a researcher two clear trends that are forming. The first trend shows that the number of bariatric procedures is growing rapidly, and the second is that these procedures are exceedingly safe. Below is an analysis of each set of these bariatric surgery statistics.

Growth in Number of Weight Loss Surgery Procedures

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the number of bariatric procedures performed has grown in the following manner:

• 1995 - 20,000 weight-loss operations performed in the United States;
• 2002 - 80,000 weight-loss operations performed in the United States;
• 2003 - 103,000 weight-loss operations performed in the United States;
• 2004 - 144,000 weight-loss operations performed in the United States;
• 2005 - 171,000 weight-loss operations performed in the United States;

Overall, this represents a growth rate of more than 600%, which can be explained by several factors. These factors include the growth in obesity in the United States, the availability of highly-skilled surgeons and the relative benefits that these procedures safely provide.

Bariatric Surgery Statistics - Safety and Weight Loss Surgery

As medical science has continued to advance in general and the pure number of bariatric procedures performed continues to increase, statistical studies have shown that these procedures are as safe as any medical procedures available.

This is a significant finding, as other statistics have shown that almost one third of the population in the United States could be seen as either overweight or obese, which means that this is a troubling and growing health phenomenon.

In general, studies have shown that complications ranging from simple bleeding and infections resulting from incisions to malfunctioning of devices placed in the patients’ abdomens occur at a rate of around 1%. This means that if you follow the preparatory steps and maintain your compliance with the after-care program, there is very little chance that you’ll have any unforeseen problems.

In terms of mortality, the NIH reports that death occurs in less that 0.2% of patients, and these deaths are most often traced to other medical problems such as heart issues or blood pressure problems that arise during surgery.

Therefore, a look at bariatric surgery statistics should tell you two things:

1. You’re not alone if you’re thinking about having a procedure done;
2. You have no reason to worry about your safety.

If you’d like to know more about how bariatric weight loss surgery can change your life, contact a cosmetic surgeon today for a consultation.