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.
The purpose of bariatric operation is to prevent, eliminate or cure diseases related to morbid obesity. Remember, that the operation is only a tool and not a cosmetic procedure. With the help of health experts, your family and support groups you can gain numerous health benefits. Before making the decision to undergo the procedure, it is important to first know its potential benefits and risks.
One of the simplest benefits of bariatric surgeries is the reduction of excessive fats. With gastric bypass surgery, around 61% of excessive fats are lost while with gastric banding surgery, about 47% of excessive weight is lost. Losing such excessive weight helps greatly in reducing by comorbidities that include many health complications like, diabetes, hypertension, colon cancer etc.
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.
Still, bariatric operations have also helped people suffering from undiagnosed sleep apnea to the point that they need less or no medicine at all. 65% to 95% of sleep apnea patients who undergo the procedure have the problem resolved. This goes a long in helping improve the quality of their lives and reduce the risk of developing additional health complications.
Like in any major operation, there are complications that can result from bariatric surgeries. These complications may result from the surgery or any other health issues the patient had before. It is important for obesity patients to be aware of these risks before making a decision to go for the operation. Some potential risks include infection through incision, excessive bleeding, bowel blockage or tear and even need for further operation.
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.
Other less serious risks that may result from a weight reduction surgery include stomach or small intestine ulcers. There is also the dumping syndrome, which may lead to diarrhea, sweating, palpitations, lightheadedness and cramps. For the restrictive only operation, vomiting is also expected especially when the stomach is overstretched with food that has not been well chewed. Even though restrictive operations lead to reduction of excessive fats in almost all patients, they are less effective than a combination of restrictive and malabsorptive operations.
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