Intestinal flora, more correctly termed intestinal microbiota, is â€œfriendly bacteriaâ€ present in the intestines. Main functions of intestinal flora include digestion and metabolism of nutrients, stimulus of cell growth, subduing harmful microorganisms, and developing the mucosal immune system in the gut which then produces antibodies to tackle pathogens. The flora consists of bacteria, yeast, and fungi. The human gut contains around hundred trillion microorganisms and bacteria constitute the majority. There are around 300 to 1000 species of bacteria living in the human intestines. Intestinal or gut flora is also helpful in preventing allergies by training the immune system to react only to harmful pathogens.

Calcium

Low calcium intake is considered a contributing factor to obesity and associated co-morbidities such as hypertension. Insulin Resistance Syndrome has been hypothesized to develop as a result of low calcium intake. A healthy calcium intake facilitates the excretion of fecal fat and may help increase core body temperature.

Nutritional Concerns after Bariatric Surgery

New behaviors take time to learn. The first few months after your operation represent a sensitive time both psychologically and physiologically. Depending on your operation, it is very important to allow any connections between the stomach and the intestine to heal. The first few months post-op are also complicated by problems with judging adequate hydration. You must be cognizant and careful that obesity and over-eating may be signs of an addiction behavior.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is one of the eight B vitamins; it is a water soluble vitamin and also called cobalamin. It is worth noting that vitamin B12 is the largest and structurally the most complex vitamin. Vitamin B12 deficiency can have serious consequences if it is ignored for long periods of time.

Vitamin Supplements and Medications

We strongly encourage a healthy balance diet after bariatric surgery. Even with a balanced diet, it is difficult to consume enough variety to ensure that you are meeting all of the recommended amounts of each vitamin regularly.

Benefits of Minimally Invasive Surgery

The Benefits of Laparoscopic Surgery

There is no doubt that surgery has changed humankind. Surgical treatments allow us to live longer, healthier lives. However, surgery is also a trauma to the body. It causes an inflammatory immune reaction as the body reacts to this trauma. Small immune reactions are fine, even healthy.

Acid Reflux

Acid reflux occurs when stomach contents leak out into the tube connecting the mouth to the stomach. Common symptoms include heartburn, an unpleasant taste in the mouth and difficulty swallowing. Less commonly, throat pain, nausea, coughing and increased salivation may also be observed, and frequent reflux is associated with an increased risk of tooth decay due to acid erosion. Most people will experience occasional episodes of symptomatic acid reflux, and it is usually no cause for concern.

Gut Bacteria

The microbial population of the gut, or gut microbiota is extremely dense, predominantly comprising bacteria. Whilst a core community of gut microbes—approximately one third—is common to most healthy adults, the composition of each gut microbiota varies according to factors including genetics, diet, age, state of health and geographical location. Microbes are considered important—but probably not essential—to digestion. This is primarily because the gut microbiota breaks down substances that the gut alone is unable to digest and is also involved in synthesis of vitamins.

Colon

The large intestine carries out the function of absorption of water and electrolytes as well as storing waste until it can be expelled. It is also responsible for maintaining water balance and some absorption of vitamins such as vitamin K. The mixture of remaining food and intestinal juices called chyme in the colon is devoid of almost all nutrients and water; it consists of primarily the undigested food with some amount of water and electrolytes.

Intestine

The small intestine is a long tube that is approximately 18 feet long (6 meters). The small intestine is called small because the diameter or the width of the tube is much less than the large intestine. The parts of the small intestine include the duodenum, jejunum and the ileum. The duodenum is a segment of intestine between the stomach and the jejunum that is very active in digestion where many different enzymes mix from the stomach, liver, gallbladder and pancreas.

Theoretic Hormonal Impact of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery

Classified as a restrictive procedure, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy involves modification of the gastric fundus, which expresses various hormones associated with hunger and satiety, insulin secretion and energy balance, and is known to induce rates of type 2 diabetes remission comparable to those observed following malabsorbtive procedures such as the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB).