Weight Loss Articles

The physical and mental discomfort associated with being morbidly obese can be overwhelming. There are so many health risks related to obesity, including diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, sleep apnea, and acid reflux. These conditions can greatly shorten a person?s life span and quality of life. And often, an obese person has tried every diet and exercise regime out there in order to lose weight, to no avail. For those that are more than 100 pounds over their ideal weight, it might seem like weight loss surgery is the only solution.

Weight loss surgery is often meant for those individuals who are 100 pounds or more over their ideal weight, or that have a body mass index (BMI) over 40. Potential patients often have to show proof (both to the doctor and the insurance company) that they have attempted to lose weight through various means of diet and exercise unsuccessfully.

Weight loss surgery is not intended to be used as form of cosmetic surgery. It is major surgery, with several potential complications, and the decision to do it should not be entered into lightly.

Before making the decision to have any type of weight loss surgery, know all of the facts and options. Ask the bariatric surgeon and any other doctors many questions, and make sure that the answers are completely understood. Know all of the potential risks, and understand the commitment that will be required after the surgery. Weight loss surgery is not a fix-all, and a great deal of effort must be made to maintain weight loss, change bad eating behaviors, and make sure that dietary and nutritional needs are being met.

There are several immediate and long-term risks associated with any type of weight loss surgery. These include:

• Bleeding
• Reaction to anesthesia or subsequent medications
• Dehiscence (the rupture of a surgical wound)
• Deep vein thrombosis (blood clots)
• Infections
• Ulcers
• Stenosis (abnormal narrowing of blood vessels)
• Pulmonary problems
• Injury to or removal of the spleen (due to bleeding)

While the occurrence of many of these problems are rare, it is important to know that they are possible with anyone having surgery, and to know what effects they can have.

There are 2 types of weight loss surgeries, restrictive and malabsorptive.

• Restrictive procedures force the patient to decrease food consumption. These procedures do not disrupt the regular digestive process.
• Malabsorptive procedures cause food to be inadequately digested so that it is eliminated in the stool. These procedures do interrupt the regular digestive process, and can lead to conditions such as anemia and malnutrition if great care is not taken to ensure nutritional maintenance post-surgery.

While weight loss surgery can help those who are morbidly obese and have struggled to lose weight for a long time lost the excess weight, it should not be seen as a magic pill. The surgeries will help patients lose a lot of weight, but it is still up to the patient to change eating behavior, exercise regularly, and be committed to a new lifestyle for the rest of his or her life.