Thinking About Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery? Think Again.
Bariatric weight loss surgery is a double edge sword. It has been devised as treatment for extremely obese patients, also known as morbidly obese. Statistics show that close to 200,000 bariatric surgeries are performed yearly in the country, 80% of which are women and only 20% are men, in spite of the fact that obesity occurs equally in men as in women. Bariatric surgery has its complications, some of which are dire.
There are many procedures collectively known as bariatric surgery. Their purpose is to limit the amount of food ingested by the patient and thus promote weight loss.
Except for the adjustable gastric band, which can be removed, all the other (sleeve gastrectomy, gastric by-pass also known as Roux en Y and the biliopancreatic diversion) are not reversible and, forever after, have changed the normal anatomy and physiology of your entire digestive tract and not for the better.
Complications appear either immediately after surgery or years or decades later. Most people agree that the immediate complications are like those of any surgery: bleeding, anesthesia risks, infections as well as other including death. Late complications may include bowel obstruction, dumping syndrome including diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, leak(s) where continuity of the gastrointestinal tract has been modified, gall stones, hernias, low blood sugar, malnutrition, ulcers, stomach perforation, and most likely some other not yet known. In addition, the lost weight may be regained. Recently, a bone metabolic disease has been reported, which occurred decades after bariatric surgery. This disease produced spontaneous bone fractures which incapacitated the patient. These are all serious complications which sometime require further surgery or may end in death.
Bariatric weight loss surgery should be reserved for the extremely morbidly obese patients. It was never intended to be a shortcut for diet, exercise and life style changes. Unfortunately, this type of surgery is very profitable for hospitals and surgeons alike.
Doctors and hospitals have special programs to educate patients about bariatric surgery. Information centers are available even in malls. While disclosures are offered, patients pay little attention to the details and rarely understand their significance and complexities. Unfortunately, patient’s mind set is such that the way they interpret the given information is that complications happen to other people not to them. Some physicians tell patients that undergoing bariatric surgery prevents Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and other health problems related to obesity. This may be true but not for all obese patients and thus is not worth the risks unless you are morbidly obese.
While bariatric surgery was designed for the morbidly obese patient, now many offices accept patients with borderline indications if they don’t happen to be morbidly obese. Such patients should never undergo this type of surgery.
Losing weight is a national problem. It is not easy. Takes time. It’s frustrating. No one likes it. Understand, however, that nobody loses 20 lbs. in a month or 10 lbs. in 10 days, as advertising wants you to believe. Do yourself a favor and remember that if you are 30, 40 or even 50 lbs. overweight, bariatric weight loss surgery is neither the answer nor a short cut to diet and exercise over time, with life style changes.
SILVIO ALADJEM MD is an obstetrician/gynecologist and Maternal Fetal Medicine (high risk obstetrics) specialist. He is Professor Emeritus in obstetrics and gynecology at Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine, in Lansing, MI. He is the author of “10,000 babies: my life in the delivery room” now available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other book stores. Dr. Aladjem published extensively in Scientific Medical Journals and wrote several textbooks in the specialty. Should you wish to contact him, you may do so at: dr.aladjem@gmail.com
I’m always amazed at how many I’ve know who were willing to go through this procedure rather than adopt a healthier lifestyle. I’m more amazed at how most of them went right back to eating junk. So sad.
One of our family friends is looking into this. I may end her this post. I think theres just so much to consider!
I have heard of this before, I don’t understand everything out there. I know that I try to increase water to lose weight, seems to work well for me. I am glad you shared info about this, it will be helpful for some thinking about bariatric weight loss surgery.
If I needed to lose a lot of weight, I would rather choose non-invasive procedures. Dieting, change in lifestyle habits, exercise. The process may be long and arduous, but I would rather go that route than go under the knife.
I’ve never heard of this before but the risk seems to far outweigh the gain. We try to maintain a healthy eating environment here
I am obese but am not interested in anybody cutting on me. However, my husband has talked about his need for weight loss surgery.
My sister in law has this done. Somedays she cuts her food in tiny pieces and eat small bite and other days she is eating junk food.
I was just having this conversation with someone at work. While many people have had successful surgeries, there are tremendous risks involved.
Weight has always been an issue for me but the thought of surgery is not my go-to for sure. I know I need to exercise more and eat healthier. I’ve started to make small changes here and there and it’s working slowly. Thank you for this insight into surgery.
I honestly don’t know much about it, but you’re full of a lot of info! I don’t need to lose weight but I’d probably have a list of steps to take. My neighbor had the surgery and had luck with it.
Wow! I’ve actually never heard of anyone getting this surgery done. It seems like there are a lot of risks involved.
I’ve known multiple people who have gone through with weight loss surgery. The process is no joke! But their end results are amazing and they have been really happy with their decision.
I think this is a really personal decision but it’s good that you’re raising awareness so people can make the right choice for them. I can’t imagine having to go through a surgery like this.
I will be honest, since I am obese I have thought about this for myself. However after seeing a few friends who had negative results I am a bit nervous. I have difficulty losing weight due to a thyroid condition, but would prefer an alternate route and use surgery as a last medically necessary resort.
Any surgery should be taken with a good dose of caution, particularly voluntary surgery. Thanks for pointing out the risks.