Obesity Surgery

Obesity surgery changes how the body handles food and weight; it is a major medical step requiring sharp planning and skilled hands. Biruni Hospital offers advanced surgical techniques designed to deliver effective and lasting results. Turkey’s advanced medical facilities make it a smart and convenient choice for treatment. 

What is obesity surgery

Obesity surgery, also called bariatric surgery, is a medical procedure designed to help people with severe obesity lose weight when other methods like diet and exercise have not worked. It changes the digestive system to limit food intake, reduce nutrient absorption, or both.

Who Benefits from Obesity Surgery:
This surgery is generally recommended for:

• People with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or higher (severe obesity)
• People with a BMI between 35 and 39.9 who also have serious health conditions linked to obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea
• Individuals who have tried other weight-loss methods without lasting success
• Patients committed to making long-term lifestyle changes, including healthy eating and regular physical activity

What are the types of obesity surgery

At Biruni Hospital, our bariatric (obesity) surgery program offers multiple surgical and non-surgical options designed to help patients lose weight safely and effectively. Each procedure is chosen based on the patient’s health, lifestyle, and weight-loss goals.

1. Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y)

 A surgical procedure that reduces the stomach’s size and reroutes part of the digestive system to change how your body processes food.

Procedure:

• The surgeon creates a small pouch at the top of the stomach.
• This pouch is connected directly to the small intestine, bypassing most of the stomach and part of the intestine.
• The rest of the stomach remains in place but no longer stores or processes food.

Treatment Benefits:

• Significant weight loss (up to 60–80% of excess weight).
• Improves or resolves type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea.
• Long-term weight maintenance if accompanied by lifestyle changes.

Why Use It:

• Recommended for patients with a high body mass index (BMI) or obesity-related health conditions.
• Effective for people who need substantial and long-lasting weight reduction.

2. Sleeve Gastrectomy

 A surgery that removes about 75–80% of the stomach, leaving a tube-shaped “sleeve” to hold food.

Procedure:

• The surgeon removes the outer curved portion of the stomach.
• The remaining stomach is a narrow sleeve that holds less food.
• Hormones that trigger hunger are also reduced.

Treatment Benefits:

• Helps patients lose about 50–70% of excess weight.
• Lower complication risk compared to gastric bypass.
• Preserves normal digestion without intestinal bypass.

Why Use It:

• Suitable for patients who want a simpler procedure without altering the intestines.
• A good option for people with certain medical conditions that make bypass risky.

3. Adjustable Gastric Banding

A minimally invasive surgery that uses a silicone band to reduce the stomach’s capacity.

Procedure:

• A band is placed around the upper part of the stomach to create a small pouch.
• The band’s tightness can be adjusted by adding or removing saline through a port under the skin.

Treatment Benefits:

• Adjustable and reversible.
• Short recovery time.
• Gradual, controlled weight loss.

Why Use It:

• For patients who want a less invasive and reversible option.
• Ideal for those ready to commit to strict dietary habits for the best results.

4. Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS)

 A complex surgery that combines a sleeve gastrectomy with a major intestinal bypass to limit both food intake and nutrient absorption.

Procedure:

• First, the stomach is reshaped into a sleeve.
• Then, most of the small intestine is bypassed, so fewer calories and nutrients are absorbed.
  

Treatment Benefits:

• Greatest average weight loss among bariatric surgeries.
• Highly effective in resolving severe obesity-related conditions like type 2 diabetes.
  

Why Use It:

• Reserved for patients with extreme obesity or severe metabolic disease.
• Requires lifelong vitamin and nutrient supplementation.
  

5. Intragastric Balloon (Non-Surgical Option)

A temporary weight-loss treatment that uses a balloon to partially fill the stomach.

Procedure:

• A soft balloon is placed in the stomach using an endoscope.
• The balloon is filled with saline to take up space, making you feel full with less food.
• Removed after about 6 months.

Treatment Benefits:

• No surgery or permanent changes to the digestive system.
• Encourages healthier eating habits while the balloon is in place.

Why Use It:

• Best for patients who are overweight but not eligible for major surgery.
• Suitable as a preparation step before more complex bariatric procedures.

What are the preparations before an obesity surgery

Before undergoing obesity surgery, patients must go through several essential preparations to ensure safety, improve outcomes, and support long-term success.

Medical evaluation

• Full blood work to check liver enzymes, kidney function, blood sugar, cholesterol, and clotting levels
• Heart tests like ECG or stress tests if you have a history of hypertension or other cardiac issues
• Lung function test, especially if you have sleep apnea, asthma, or smoking history
• Review of chronic conditions like diabetes, thyroid problems, or autoimmune diseases that could affect healing
• List of all current medications checked for anything that might cause issues during or after surgery
  

Nutritional Counseling

• Introduction to the post-surgery diet, broken into clear stages from liquids to soft food to solids
• Education on protein intake and why it’s essential for healing and long-term muscle maintenance
• Explanation of vitamin and mineral supplements that’ll be needed permanently after surgery
• Tips on portion control, food timing, and mindful eating to avoid stretching the new stomach pouch
• Practical advice for grocery shopping, meal planning, and avoiding foods that might trigger nausea or dumping
  

Psychological screening

• Evaluation for any history of eating disorders, depression, anxiety, or past trauma that could impact recovery
• Honest discussion about emotional eating habits or food as a coping mechanism
• Assessment of whether you’re mentally prepared for major lifestyle changes after surgery
• Setting realistic expectations for weight loss speed, body changes, and how life might feel post-surgery
• Planning for follow-up support from therapists, support groups, or medical staff if needed

Preoperative weight loss

• Short-term low-calorie diet, sometimes liquid-only, to shrink the liver before surgery
• Targets vary, but many patients are asked to lose 5 to 10 percent of their body weight
• Diet usually lasts one to four weeks depending on the surgery type and starting weight
• Helps the surgeon work more safely and lowers the chance of complications during laparoscopy
• Also used as a test of commitment and readiness to follow strict post-surgery eating rules

Smoking and alcohol cessation

• Smoking needs to be stopped completely at least four weeks before surgery to lower risk of lung issues
• Alcohol should be avoided two weeks before and for several weeks after to protect the liver and avoid ulcers
• Both habits can slow healing, increase infection risk, and cause complications under anesthesia
• Some patients are referred to cessation programs or support groups if quitting alone is hard
• Honest disclosure to the surgical team is important even if quitting isn’t perfect yet
  

Physical preparation

• Starting light daily activity like walking or swimming if mobility allows
• Practicing breathing exercises to improve lung strength, especially if overweight or prone to snoring or apnea
• Simple stretches to avoid stiffness and help with mobility during the first days after surgery
• Some patients may benefit from a few sessions with a physiotherapist to prepare for post-surgery movement
• The goal is not to lose weight fast but to build stamina and make recovery smoother

Medication adjustments

• Blood thinners usually stopped several days before to reduce bleeding risk
• Diabetes meds, especially insulin or oral hypoglycemics, adjusted around fasting and anesthesia plans
• NSAIDs and aspirin typically paused due to risk of ulcers or stomach lining irritation
• Herbal supplements reviewed and often stopped, especially those that affect clotting or blood pressure
• The final medication list reviewed by surgical and anesthesia teams for safety
  

the journey to lasting health begins

Obesity surgery isn’t the end goal; it’s just the starting point. It gives the body a push, but long-term results depend on daily habits. The surgery makes eating less possible, but staying healthy comes from how you live afterwards. With the right support, medical follow-up, and real commitment, the change becomes something you can actually hold on to.