The Benefits And Risks Of A Weight Reduction Surgery
By Cherry Mercer
The popularity of weight reduction surgery as a treatment for severe obesity has considerably grown in the recent years. Where diet and exercise fail, the procedure can come in as a literally lifesaving tool. The operation can also be referred to as bariatric surgery and can be very useful in helping patients resolve the many obesity related health problems. However, just like in any such procedure, there are both benefits and risks that patients need to be aware of before making a decision.
A bariatric operation is recommended only for patients whose BMI is above 40 and have not responded positively to exercise, diet, and weight reduction medicines. Those seeking to undergo the procedure should always be willing to work closely with health experts, counselors, nutritionists, and even support groups and family members. They should also be ready to commit themselves to permanent lifestyle change after the operation.
One of the simplest benefits of bariatric surgeries is the reduction of excessive fats. With gastric bypass surgery, around 61% of excessive fats are lost while with gastric banding surgery, about 47% of excessive weight is lost. Losing such excessive weight helps greatly in reducing by comorbidities that include many health complications like, diabetes, hypertension, colon cancer etc.
After bariatric surgery, most patients, approximately 60%, are able to stop medication and as many as 80% report improvement in high blood pressure. Many patients also experience sudden ease in their diabetic control, especially those with Type 2 diabetes. In fact, 77% are able to stop their medications.
Most patients with excessive weight issues also suffer undiagnosed sleep apnea at the time of evaluation. However, 68% to 95% of such patients report resolution to their problem just after undergoing bariatric operation. Some other benefits of the procedure include overall improved in the quality of life and decrease in the long-term risk of death.
As mentioned before, there are also a number of risks associated with the operation that patients need to be aware of before committing themselves. Just like in any major abdominal operation, the operation carries the risks of bleeding, bowel blockage as a result of scar tissue and infection through incision. Others include the risks of hernia through incision and adverse reactions due to anesthesia.
Restrictive and malabsorptive procedures also carry with them the risk of malnutrition. This results from the lack of absorption of iron and calcium because food bypasses the duodenum and the jejunum. Menstruating women can also subject themselves to the risk of developing anemia should they chose to undergo the procedure as not enough vitamin B12 is absorbed. These malnutrition problems can be resolved through taking some supplements.
Dumping syndrome, which causes a number of health problems such as cramps, diarrhea, palpitations, sweating amongst others, is also another possible risk from a weight reduction surgery. These complications can always be addressed at approved weight loss centers with board-certified doctors. The facility should be adequately equipped with required instruments and enough support staff.
A bariatric operation is recommended only for patients whose BMI is above 40 and have not responded positively to exercise, diet, and weight reduction medicines. Those seeking to undergo the procedure should always be willing to work closely with health experts, counselors, nutritionists, and even support groups and family members. They should also be ready to commit themselves to permanent lifestyle change after the operation.
One of the simplest benefits of bariatric surgeries is the reduction of excessive fats. With gastric bypass surgery, around 61% of excessive fats are lost while with gastric banding surgery, about 47% of excessive weight is lost. Losing such excessive weight helps greatly in reducing by comorbidities that include many health complications like, diabetes, hypertension, colon cancer etc.
After bariatric surgery, most patients, approximately 60%, are able to stop medication and as many as 80% report improvement in high blood pressure. Many patients also experience sudden ease in their diabetic control, especially those with Type 2 diabetes. In fact, 77% are able to stop their medications.
Most patients with excessive weight issues also suffer undiagnosed sleep apnea at the time of evaluation. However, 68% to 95% of such patients report resolution to their problem just after undergoing bariatric operation. Some other benefits of the procedure include overall improved in the quality of life and decrease in the long-term risk of death.
As mentioned before, there are also a number of risks associated with the operation that patients need to be aware of before committing themselves. Just like in any major abdominal operation, the operation carries the risks of bleeding, bowel blockage as a result of scar tissue and infection through incision. Others include the risks of hernia through incision and adverse reactions due to anesthesia.
Restrictive and malabsorptive procedures also carry with them the risk of malnutrition. This results from the lack of absorption of iron and calcium because food bypasses the duodenum and the jejunum. Menstruating women can also subject themselves to the risk of developing anemia should they chose to undergo the procedure as not enough vitamin B12 is absorbed. These malnutrition problems can be resolved through taking some supplements.
Dumping syndrome, which causes a number of health problems such as cramps, diarrhea, palpitations, sweating amongst others, is also another possible risk from a weight reduction surgery. These complications can always be addressed at approved weight loss centers with board-certified doctors. The facility should be adequately equipped with required instruments and enough support staff.