Bariatric Surgery as a Miracle Weight Loss Cure

| December 29, 2009 | 0 Comments

Obesity is a debilitating medical condition that has slowly and assiduously managed to affect a good number of the population of the developed world. It does not discriminate by race, gender or age – and has become a shameful open secret that has fast food chains rejoicing and health buffs all over the world shuddering in disgust. The afflicted are silently bearing the obese cross and, pardon the pun, it gets heavier everyday.

There are several avenues open to people who are looking to losing weight. A healthy diet is one, exercise another. These two options are for those who want a healthier way to go about losing weight. For those foolhardy enough, diet pills and food supplements are another way to get a temporary fix, but these do not come without considerable health risks and side effects.

Weight loss surgery is another option open to obese individuals. Also known as Bariatric surgery, it can be performed on morbidly obese patients who qualify for the procedure.

What is Weight Loss Surgery?

Bariatric surgery has been performed on countless morbidly obese patients. There are two approaches for weight loss surgery:

1.Restrictive Procedures that limit or decrease the influx of food to the system, and;
2.Malabsorptive Procedures which limit the body’s ability to absorb calories and other essential nutrients.

In order to be considered for Bariatric surgery, a patient has to discuss and come to an agreement with the Bariatric surgeon about the following concerns:

  • Bariatric surgery is no joke. It is not a cosmetic procedure and should not be viewed as such.
  • Bariatric surgery is not liposuction. It does not involve the removal of fat from the body.
  • There are very real and very serious health risks that come with the procedure, aside from the benefits that can be gained.
  • Bariatric surgery is not the end-all fix-all surgery that some people think it is. The permanence of it is largely dependent on the lifestyle changes that should be followed in order to live a healthy life.
  • The risks involved in the post-operation recuperation involve the elevated risk of needing to have more surgery done.

Complications of Bariatric Surgery

  • Internal bleeding – which can be controlled somewhat by the removal of the spleen.
  • Spleen injury
  • Problems may arise due to administered anesthesia and any medication being ingested
  • Deep vein thrombosis – a blood clot that usually forms in the deep veins of the pelvis or leg. It can cause pulmonary embolism which can lead to instantaneous death.
  • Infections
  • Mild Ulcers

The Lasting Effect of Weight Loss Surgery

The full effect of weight loss surgery can only be determined on a case to case basis. It largely depends upon an individual patient’s preexisting medical and weight conditions and their determination to follow a healthier diet coupled with regular exercise after the surgery has been performed.

For the most part, there is generally a decrease in weight of up to 50% for most patients, with reports of having a weight loss decrease of up to 77%. The success of the surgery can be measured according to the weight loss goals first set by the patient and the chosen health care provider.

There is no magical cure for obesity and the medical conditions that it precipitates and exacerbates. Even successful weight loss surgeries are not a guarantee that the weight will not come back again. It is very important to remember that a healthy diet and regular exercise are the safest alternatives for true and lasting weight loss.

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