Weight Loss Surgery: Is It Safe?

A lot of people repeatedly try unsuccessfully to lose weight. So they start to consider weight loss surgery (also called bariatric surgery). It looks easy enough, and is said to improve many health conditions, including arthritis, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Bariatric surgery includes several types of procedures, but the most common are gastric banding and gastric bypass.

In both procedures, the stomach is surgically reduced to a fraction of its normal size. You will only be able to eat a small amount of food before feeling uncomfortable. After surgery, you will start with liquids, then gradually add more solid foods. Over time, you will be able to increase the amount you eat.

Initial weight loss is very rapid. You may experience fatigue, mood swings, dry skin, aches, and hair loss as your body adjusts to the loss. You may lose up to sixty percent of your excess weight within the first two years. The rapid weight loss may lead to areas where your skin is "floppy". This condition may need to be corrected with plastic surgery.

Not everyone qualifies for bariatric surgery. The treatment is commonly only available to people considered "morbidly obese"—100 pounds overweight for a man or 80 pounds overweight for a woman. It is also considered a treatment of last resort, and doctors may ask patients to document past unsuccessful attempts to lose weight through diet and exercise. This treatment is not usually available to teenage or elderly patients.

There are commonly requirements for psychological testing prior to approval for weight loss surgery. This testing will help to determine if the patient fully understands the seriousness of the situation. Patients are screened for depression, eating disorders, and other psychological factors that could lead to a negative outcome.

Gastric banding is one of the newest forms of weight loss surgery. It is advertised as the only bariatric procedure that permits reversal or adjustment of the procedure at some future time. Many patients are drawn to the idea that the procedure may be reversed. However, most doctors prefer gastric bypass, pointing out that the older method is proven, and usually results in less post-surgical complications.

The health risks of severe obesity are well documented, and may include diabetes, arthritis, heart conditions, and more. Most health professionals believe that the risks of bariatric surgery are minimal compared to the risks of morbid obesity.

If you are considering bariatric surgery, you will want to discuss your options with your doctor. While bariatric surgery appears to be a safe solution compared to the dangers of severe obesity, any surgical procedure involves a degree of risk. Your doctor can help you decide if the risk is worth the reward.