PhD conferral Mr J.H. (Sjaak) Pouwels, MSc.

“Perioperative physiology and optimalisation in bariatric and metabolic surgery”

Keywords: bariatric surgery, effect, diabetes, heart and lungs, vitamin and mineral metabolism

Bariatric surgery (also known as gastric band/gastric bypass surgery) is the only method proven to be effective in the long term for significant weight loss. In 1950, it was discovered that this form of surgery did more than just trigger weight loss – it also altered the glucose balance in these patients, resulting in better resistance to diabetes. There are also indications that bariatric surgery has an affect on heart and lung function, as well as on vitamin and mineral metabolism in the body. This dissertation explains a number of these facets in more detail.