Many people battling their weight believe they have tried every diet and weight loss product. In recent years, more and more people are turning to bariatric surgery to help them achieve their weight loss goals and to improve their health. According to the American Heart Association, those qualified as "obese" (having a body weight of 30% or more above what is considered "normal" weight) have increased risks of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Consequently for many, the drive to lose weight is a result of more than appearance; it is also the result of a desire for a healthier and better quality of life.
What is Bariatric Surgery?
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), bariatric surgery produces weight loss by "restricting food intake and, in some cases, interfering with nutrition through malabsorption." This is typically achieved by reducing the size of the stomach either through the implanting of a device (i.e. gastric banding), or through the removal of a portion of the stomach. NIDDK emphasizes the need of bariatric surgery recipients to make a lifetime commitment to a healthy lifestyle of reduced portions, healthier food choices, and regular exercise to maintain the results of weight loss surgeries.
Is Bariatric Surgery the Right Choice?
Weight loss surgeries are not right for everyone. The University of Pittsburg Medical Center (UPMC) stresses that bariatric surgery is a last resort, considered only when all other options have been exhausted. The National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference Statement on Gastrointestinal Surgery for Severe Obesity outlines several requirements that must be met in order for doctors to consider performing bariatric surgery on a patient, including the following:
- The patient must be 80 to 100 pounds overweight.
- Body mass index (BMI) must be greater or equal to 35, with one or more significant obesity-related conditions (for example, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and high cholesterol).
- BMI must be greater than 40, regardless of other medical conditions.
- The patient must be 14 to 75 years of age.
- The patient must have a history of multiple failed attempts with diet plans, behavioral changes, and medical therapy.
- The patient must have realistic expectations and motivation.
- The patient must be capable of understanding the procedure and its implications.
- The patient must understand and accept the operative risks.
- The patient must show commitment to following the diet, vitamin and exercise program, and follow-up necessary for health and weight maintenance.
Risks of Bariatric Surgery
Because weight loss surgeries are serious procedures, the medical community stresses that the risks involved must be considered by prospective patients. UPMC outlines several possible consequences of bariatric surgery including, but not limited to:
- obstruction of the stomach
- chronic nausea and vomiting
- acid reflux
- inability to eat certain foods
- weight gain or failure to lose weight
Deciding if Surgery is the Best Choice
While there are several possible side effects of bariatric surgery, many who have fought obesity and its related health problems may find a solution in such procedures. Many patients of weight loss surgeries report dramatic weight loss, increased energy, and the alleviation or cessation of obesity-related health problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Experts emphasize the fact that the most successful patients receive counseling, reeducation of how and what to eat, and experience a lifestyle change that involves a heatlhy diet and regular exercise.
Kelsey Anderson - Kelsey Anderson is a stay-at-home mother of two, who has done everything from retail sales management, to substitute teaching, to law ...
