Metabolic surgery, commonly known as sugar and diabetes surgery, also this method is used in the treatment of diseases such as hypertension, obesity, Type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol. When these types of metabolic syndrome diseases are left untreated, they cause significant reductions in the quality of life of the person and create serious life-threatening conditions. Calling the method as metabolic surgery arises from the principle of treating metabolic diseases by surgical methods. With the methods developed in recent years, the success rate in metabolic surgery treatment has increased extremely. It is applied as a fast treatment method especially in early diagnosed diseases.
What is Metabolic Surgery?
Metabolic surgery, with the shortest definition, is the use of some types of bariatric surgery in the treatment of metabolic syndromes, especially Type 2 diabetes. Metabolic surgery is not a single method of surgery. There are many surgical methods applied. The surgical method is selected and determined by the patient’s disease and suitability for the method. The main target in metabolic surgery is to ensure that the nutrients taken into the body meet the bile and pancreatic fluids later. In this way, the substances that activate the insulin production of the pancreas start secretion and the level of insulin increases.
How Is Metabolic Surgery Done?
All methods applied during metabolic surgery are performed by laparoscopic method known as closed surgery. The incision is not opened to the patient, but the operation is performed by entering through four or five holes. The duration of the operation varies according to the method is used. Operation may take 1 or 3 hours according to the method. The patient can stay in the hospital for 4 or 5 days. The metabolic surgery methods are Sleeve Gastrectomy, Minigastric bypass, duodenal switch derivatives, Gastric bypass, Transit Bipartition, Ileal transposition derivatives. Some of the surgeries are restricting eating and some of them are the operations that disrupt intestinal absorption.
How to Make a Decision about Metabolic Surgery?
Before decision about the metabolic surgery is made, a detailed analyze of the patient’s test is made. The patient’s body mass index should be above 40 or over 30, and blood glucose control could not be achieved despite treatments. At the same time, should be checked Hemoglobin A1c level, how many years have the patient had diabetes and insulin usage. The most important criterion for patients to see the necessary benefits from these operations is that the insulin secretion of the pancreas continues. In other words, the pancreas should continue to secrete insulin. The condition of the pancreas is determined by the tests performed before the operation. Obesity level of the patient is also evaluated. People who are new to diabetes and do not need insulin treatment and who use low doses of medication have a better chance to surgery.
Why Should Be Metabolic Surgery Done?
When it comes to Type 2 diabetes, the most definitive method that has been proven until now is metabolic surgery. Although the priority in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes is to control the patient’s lifestyle, sometimes the blood sugar level cannot be kept at the desired level. If the patient’s suitability for the operations is determined in such patients, the most definitive method that can be applied is metabolic surgery. Apart from diabetes, this method is also effective in diseases caused by metabolic syndrome. After this treatment, most of the patients get rid of using medication completely. Others continue to use in a very little doses.
Are There Any Risks of Metabolic Surgery?
Usually, all surgical operations have a risk. When the risks of the operation and the risks of treatable diseases are compared, it turns out that the risk of surgical intervention is much lower. The most important point at the operation point is the correct evaluation of the patient and the operation by an experienced surgeon. The correct completion of the whole process, from the patient’s assessment process to its operation, and its post-operative controls, is important to ensure maximum benefit.