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Metabolic surgery is a surgical procedure used to treat diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome. It involves making changes in the digestive system to help control blood sugar levels and improve metabolic health. This intervention can be an effective option for patients who have not achieved good results with other conventional treatments. In this guide, we will explore in detail the definition of metabolic surgery, as well as its importance in the treatment of diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome.
Metabolic surgery is defined as a set of surgical techniques used to treat diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome. This intervention seeks to improve patients’ metabolism and control blood sugar levels. It usually involves changes in the digestive system, such as reducing the size of the stomach or modifying the way food is processed by the body. Metabolic surgery can help patients achieve a better quality of life and reduce the risks associated with these metabolic diseases.
Diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome are two chronic metabolic diseases that affect a large number of people worldwide. Both conditions are associated with increased blood sugar levels and can lead to serious complications such as cardiovascular disease and organ damage. Treating these diseases effectively is vitally important to prevent long-term complications and improve patients’ quality of life. Metabolic surgery offers a promising treatment option, as it has been shown to be able to control diabetes mellitus and improve the symptoms of metabolic syndrome in many cases. Understanding the importance of treating these diseases is critical to exploring appropriate treatment options and improving the lives of patients who suffer from them.
Metabolic surgery offers different options to treat diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome. These surgical procedures can be divided into three main types: gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy and biliopancreatic diversion. Each of these types of surgery has its own specific characteristics and benefits, so it is important for the physician and patient to evaluate which option is the most appropriate in each case.
Gastric bypass is one of the most common types of metabolic surgery. It consists of rerouting the digestive system, creating a small gastric pouch and connecting it directly to the small intestine. This surgery reduces the size of the stomach and changes the way food is processed and absorbed in the body. As a result, significant weight loss is promoted and, in addition, there is a change in hormone production and metabolic function that helps control diabetes mellitus and improve metabolic syndrome.
Sleeve gastrectomy is another type of metabolic surgery used to treat diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome.In this procedure, approximately 80% of the stomach is removed, creating a narrow tube or “sleeve”.This reduction in the size of the stomach limits the amount of food that can be consumed, resulting in significant weight loss.In addition, sleeve gastrectomy has also been found to have positive effects in regulating blood glucose levels and improving associated metabolic diseases.2.3. Biliopancreatic diversion
Biliopancreatic derivation is a more complex and less common surgical procedure, but also very effective in the treatment of diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome. In this surgery, a partial gastrectomy is performed to reduce the size of the stomach, and then an intestinal drift is carried out to partially deviate the flow of food. This causes a reduction in the absorption of nutrients and calories, which leads to weight loss. In addition, biliopancreatic derivation has a significant impact on blood glucose regulation and improving associated metabolic diseases.
Metabolic surgery offers a number of benefits to patients. These include effective control of diabetes mellitus, improving metabolic syndrome, weight loss and improving quality of life, as well as reducing cardiovascular risks. These are concrete and significant results that have been demonstrated in numerous studies and that support the effectiveness and importance of metabolic surgery in the treatment of these conditions.
One of the most outstanding advantages of metabolic surgery is its effectiveness in the control of diabetes mellitus. Patients undergoing this surgery have experienced significant improvements in their blood glucose levels and a reduction in the need for hypoglycemic drugs, which is especially relevant for those with type 2 diabetes. This improvement in diabetes control not only has a positive impact on the patient’s health, but also reduces the economic burden associated with the chronic treatment of the disease.
Metabolic surgery also offers significant improvements in metabolic syndrome. Patients undergoing this type of surgery have experienced a reduction in blood pressure levels, a decrease in cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as an improvement in insulin sensitivity. These benefits help reduce the risks associated with cardiovascular disease and other metabolic complications, which clearly indicates the therapeutic benefits of metabolic surgery in the treatment of this syndrome.
Metabolic surgery has been shown to be very effective in long-term sustainable weight loss. This is because it not only reduces the size of the stomach, but also alters the production of hormones related to appetite and metabolism. The resulting weight loss provides a number of additional benefits, such as increased mobility, reduced load on the joints, improved quality of sleep and greater self-confidence. These positive changes contribute to significantly improving the quality of life of patients undergoing this surgery.
Metabolic surgery has been shown to be effective in reducing cardiovascular risks in patients with diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome. This is because surgery helps normalize cholesterol levels, lowers blood pressure, and improves vascular endothelial function. These factors are crucial to preventing cardiovascular diseases, such as coronary artery disease and strokes. In addition, the weight loss that accompanies surgery also plays an important role in reducing these cardiovascular risks. Together, these benefits are crucial to improving the cardiovascular health of patients undergoing metabolic surgery.
Metabolic surgery is a procedure that needs to be carefully evaluated and considered before being performed. It is essential to undertake a comprehensive preoperative evaluation that includes the patient’s clinical history, history of illness and previous surgeries, as well as blood and imaging diagnostic tests. This assessment will determine whether the patient is eligible for metabolic surgery and whether there are risk factors that may influence the outcome of the procedure.
Preoperative evaluation in metabolic surgery is a crucial step in ensuring the safety and effectiveness of the procedure. During this stage, diagnostic tests will be performed to assess the patient’s health, such as blood tests, electrocardiogram, lung function tests and nutritional evaluation. Psychological evaluations will also be conducted to determine the patient’s ability to meet the lifestyle changes required after surgery. With all this information, the medical team can make informed decisions about the type of surgery most suitable for the patient and minimize the associated risks.
Like any surgical procedure, metabolic surgery has possible complications and side effects. Some of the most common complications include infections, excessive bleeding, leaks in the sutures, intestinal obstruction, and formation of gallstones. Side effects such as intolerance to certain foods, nutritional deficiencies, gastroesophageal reflux and constipation may also occur. It is important to emphasize that these complications and side effects are uncommon, but should be taken into account when considering metabolic surgery. The doctor and the patient should discuss these possibilities in detail before proceeding.
Follow-up and post-operative care are essential to guaranteeing the long-term success of metabolic surgery. After the procedure, the patient should undertake regular follow-up visits with his or her medical team to evaluate his/her progress and make necessary adjustments. A change in eating habits will also be required, with a specific and controlled diet. Additionally, vitamin supplements may be required to prevent nutritional deficiencies. It is essential that the patient follow medical recommendations and adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and control of associated diseases, such as diabetes mellitus. Proper postoperative follow-up and care are essential forining the long-term metabolic surgical benefits.