When metabolic diseases are not treated fully and effectively, they significantly reduce the quality of life and they oftenly lead to vital health problems. The treatment of metabolic diseases with surgical methods is called metabolic surgery. With the developments in medical technology and the development of minimally invasive surgery in recent years, the success rate in metabolic surgery treatment has increased tremendously. Especially for patients who are not late for the treatment, we can get satisfying results When talking about metabolic surgery, there is not just one method. There are many surgical methods that can be applied. The surgical method to be chosen is determined according to the patient’s disease and suitability for the method. The main goal 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 begin to be secreted and the insulin secretion is increased automatically.
How is metabolic surgery done?
All methods applied during metabolic surgery are performed with laparoscopic methods known as closed surgery. Large incisions are not made to the patient. The operation is completed by entering through four or five holes from the body. Although the duration of the operation varies according to the method used, the operation may take up to 1 or 3 hours. The hospital stay of the patient is 2-4 days. Among the surgical methods used, Sleeve Gastrectomy, Minigastric by-pass, Duodenal switch derivatives, Roux-en Y Gastric by-pass, Transit Bipartition, Ileal transposition surgeries can be mentioned. Some of the surgeries are restrictive (restrictive) and some are malabsorptive surgeries.
How is the decision made for metabolic surgery?
Before the decision made for metabolic surgery a detailed examinations of the patient’s metabolic values (such as HgbA1c, C-Peptide, HOMA-IR) is performed. The patient’s body mass index should be over 40 or over 30 and the blood sugar should not be under control despite the treatments. At the same time, the answer of how many years the patient has diabetes, whether the patient uses insulin or not, and the level of blood lipids are also important. The most important criterion for patients to see the necessary benefit from these operations is that the insulin reserve of the pancreas is sufficient. That means the insulin secretion of the pancreas must continue. The condition of the pancreas is determined by the tests performed before the surgery. The chance of the surgery to be successful is higher for the people who recently started to have diabetes and do not need insulin therapy yet or patients who use low doses of medication.
Why is metabolic surgery done?
Metabolic surgery is the most definitive method with proven effectiveness in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Although the primary treatment plan in the type 2 diabetes is make the lifestyle of the patient much more better but sometimes the blood sugar level cannot be kept at the desired level. In this case, if the patient is determined to be suitable for the operation, the most precise method that can be applied is metabolic surgery. Apart from diabetes, this treatment method is also very effective in diseases caused by metabolic syndrome. After this treatment, most of the patients get rid of the drugs completely but in some cases it may be necessary to continue to using the drug in very small doses.
Are there any risks in metabolic surgery?
In general, all surgical operations have a certain risk ratio. When the risks of the operation and the risks of treatable diseases are compared, it is concluded that the risk of surgical intervention is much less. The most important issue at the point of surgery is the correct evaluation of the patient and the execution of the operation by an experienced surgeon. It is important to complete the whole process correctly, from the patient’s evaluation process to the operation, to the controls after the operation, in order to ensure maximum benefit.