What You Need To Know About 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.

Bariatric surgery seeks to mainly resolve problems experienced by patients due to obesity. Because losing weight after the operation may not be that automatic, commitment to lifestyle changes by patients is required. Additionally, support from friends, family, support groups and healthcare experts are also very critical. The procedure, which is usually a last resort after other traditional ways have failed, has saved the lives of many patients worldwide.

The main benefit of bariatric operation is simple to understand, weight reduction. Surgery on gastric bypass causes about 50% to 61% weight loss while gastric banding results into about 47% loss of excess weight. The removal of excessive fats is in itself a major breakthrough and the beginning to resolving a number obesity related health complications that normally accompany the condition.

The surgery is also helpful to patients suffering from high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. After the procedure, about 60% of high blood pressure patients are able to stop medication while 80% report improvement to the condition. 77% of type 2 diabetes patients who are obese and chose to undergo the operation are also able to stop medications thereafter.

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.

An operation to reduce weight reduction is a life-altering event. Patients considering the operation should first understand what it involves. It is a major operation and so as much as there are benefits, there are also potential risks involved apart from the long stay in hospital. In abdominal surgeries like bariatric there exist the risks of excessive bleeding, infection through incision, bowel blockage, adverse reactions to anesthesia etc.

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.

Ulcers of the stomach and small intestines, though considered minor risks, are also other problems that may be caused by a weight reduction surgery. Diarrhea, palpitations, sweating, lightheadedness and cramps due to dumping syndrome are also reported by some patients who have undergone the operation. Any center performing the operation should be well equipped.




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