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Risks of Surgery
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Indications
Bariatric surgery is intended for people who are 100 pounds
or more overweight (with a Body Mass Index of 40 or greater) and who have not had success with other, less risky weight loss therapies such as diet, exercise, medications, etc. In some cases, a person with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35 or greater and one or more co-morbid condition may be considered for bariatric surgery.
Important Considerations
Bariatric surgery should not be considered until you and a doctor have looked at all other options. The best approach to bariatric surgery calls for discussion of the following with your doctor: |
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- Bariatric surgery is not cosmetic surgery and should not be thought of in any way as cosmetic surgery.
- Bariatric surgery does not involve the removal of adipose tissue (fat) by suction or surgical removal.
- The patient and doctor should discuss the benefits and risks together.
- The patient must commit to long-term lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise, which are key to the success of bariatric surgery.
- Problems after surgery may require more operations to correct them.
Complications of Bariatric Surgery
As with any surgery, there are immediate and long-term complications and risks. Your healthcare team can speak with you further about the benefits and risks. Possible risks can include, but are not limited to:
- Bleeding*
- Complications due to anesthesia and medications
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Dehiscence (separation of areas that are stitched or stapled together)
- Infections
- Leaks from staple lines
- Marginal ulcers
- Pulmonary problems
- Spleen injury*
- Stenosis (narrowing of a passage, such as a valve)
- Death
* To control operative bleeding, removal of the spleen may be necessary.
According to the American Society for Bariatric Surgery 2004 Consensus Statement, the operative morbidity (complications) associated with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in the hands of a skilled surgeon is roughly 5 percent and the operative mortality (death) is roughly 0.5 percent.26 For Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding the same consensus statement reported that in the hands of skilled surgeons, the operative morbidity is approximately 5 percent and operative mortality is approximately 0.1 percent.26
Risks and Possible Side Effects
- Vomiting
- Dumping syndrome
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Gallstones
- Need to avoid pregnancy temporarily
- Nausea, vomiting, bloating, diarrhea, excessive sweating, increased gas, and dizziness
Why Would I Have an Open Procedure?
In some patients, the laparoscopic or minimally invasive approach to surgery cannot be used. Here are reasons why you may have an open procedure, or that may lead your surgeon to switch during the procedure from laparoscopic to open:
- Prior abdominal surgery that has caused dense scar tissue
- Inability to see organs
- Bleeding problems during the operation
The decision to perform the open procedure is a judgment call made by your surgeon either before or during the actual operation and is based on patient safety. |
Health Benefits Associated with Bariatric Surgery
Morbid obesity can lead to a shorter life and many life-threatening health problems, known as
co-morbidities. Recent studies show that the risk of an early death for those struggling with obesity is twice that of a non-obese person.1 With treatment, there is a better chance for enjoying good health and a longer life. A clinical study shows that gastric bypass surgery improves life expectancy in patients by 89 percent.2
Dedicating yourself to effective treatment is necessary for better health. Finding that treatment begins with learning how weight affects you. |
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Obesity-Related Health Conditions
If you find yourself struggling with one or more obesity-related health condition, bariatric surgery could be right for you. A list of some of the common obesity-related health conditions follows. (Your doctor can provide a complete list.)
If you choose to have bariatric surgery, your choice should be based on discussions between you and your doctor, including goals and strategy for long-term care. Patient selection for bariatric surgery is based on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) criteria:1
- 100 pounds or more above ideal body weight or a BMI of 40 or greater
- BMI of 35 or greater with one or more obesity-related health condition
Other factors your doctor may consider include:
- History of documented dietary weight loss attempts
- Lifelong commitment to dietary, exercise, and medical guidelines and follow-up care
- Psychological evaluation
Studies show that bariatric surgery effectively can improve and resolve many weight-related health conditions.3 A review of more that 22,000 bariatric surgery patients showed improvement in or complete resolution of conditions including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea.3
Learn how bariatric surgery can affect each obesity-related health condition listed here. |
Patient Concerns
If you are thinking about bariatric surgery and are having doubts about whether it is right for you, you’re not alone. Wondering if bariatric surgery is right for you is a very common concern. Bariatric surgery is a life-changing procedure, and making that decision requires research and a good amount of reflection.
However, you also should take a look at the science and know that gastric bypass surgery can be an extremely effective treatment for the lifelong condition of morbid obesity . As with any surgery, bariatric surgery may present risks. It’s important to learn about these risks and discuss them with your bariatric surgeon. |
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If traditional weight loss methods have not worked, gastric bypass surgery may be the right answer for you. And with its effectiveness in resolving or improving co-morbidities such as type 2 diabetes, it may improve your quality of life.
In this section of BariatricEdge.com, you’ll learn about concerns and fears that most everyone has had at one point or another during the bariatric surgery decision-making process. By browsing these pages and hearing patients describe their experiences in their own words, you’ll find that you’re not alone. |
The Procedures
How Does Bariatric Surgery Work?
There are two basic ways that bariatric surgery works to help patients lose weight and improve or resolve co-morbidities: One way is malabsorption and the other is restriction. The most common bariatric surgery performed today, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, uses both.
1. Restrictive procedures limit food intake:
Procedures that use restriction limit the amount of food patients can eat. This is accomplished surgically by creating a small stomach pouch. When eating, the pouch fills quickly and gives a feeling of fullness much sooner. Because patients feel satisfied and full sooner, they eat less. |
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2. Malabsorptive procedures alter digestion:
Procedures that use malabsorption change the body’s ability to absorb calories and nutrients from food. The surgeon changes the way food travels through the patient’s system. By rerouting food past a large part of the stomach and a portion of the small intestine, much of the calories and nutrients pass through without being absorbed.
Both methods work to help patients lose excess weight, lower their BMI, and transform their health by resolving or improving co-morbidities. Bariatric surgery has many benefits that can lead to a healthier, higher quality of life, but also has certain risks. Read on to learn more about the different types of bariatric surgery.
If you’re still unsure about bariatric surgery and want to take a step back to learn more about the basics, please visit our companion website. While you’re there, sign up for the newsletter, WLS NewsSource.
Visit WeightLossSurgeryInfo.com
Visit
Obesityelp.com
Visit ASBS.org
Visit LAP-BAND.com
Visit Surgicalreview.org
Visit Yourbariatricsurgeryguide.com |
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