The Dangers Behind Weight Loss Surgery

Weight loss surgery may seem like an easy fix, but it can come with a whole slew of complications.

We live in a society where everyone wants everything to be quick and easy. That is why, when weight loss surgeries such as gastric-bypass became available to the public, many people rushed forward and volunteered. The problem with this, and any surgery is that it is an invasive procedure, which may come with a slew of side effects and complications you aren’t prepared for. So to break it down and decide whether weight-loss surgery is for you, here is what you need to know.

Weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery is something one should only consider in the instance of morbid obesity. It should really only be considered as a last resort when all other weight-loss methods have failed. There are several different variations of bariatric surgery, but all involve reducing the size of the stomach, whether through surgery or a soft silicon band that ‘splits’ the stomach into smaller compartments. They all function with the same principle, that by ‘shrinking’ your stomach, you will ingest less, and thus shed weight pretty quickly. These surgeries have proven to be successful in reducing body weight and increasing remission rates for type 2 diabetes, as well as lowering the rates of obesity-related cancers.

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As with anything however, there are certain associated risks. Regarding the surgery, you run the risk of internal bleeding, blood clots, and infection. Some of the procedures are irreversible, because they surgically remove part of the stomach, so its important to realize going in, that you will no longer be able to eat the way you did before. Vitamin and nutrient deficiencies can be a problem, especially with important vitamins like B12, calcium, and iron, so working with a dietician and doctor is really important. For patients who opt for a less-invasive band procedure, there is a small chance of the band slipping, or eroding into the stomach, and there are also studies that suggest that gastric bypass patients have a higher potential to develop alcohol dependence, and give birth prematurely. The most obvious potential downfall or side effect is of course, that you may end up gaining back the weight.
So the moral of the story is that weight-loss surgeries have just as many potential side effects as any other surgery. If you are thinking of getting it done, just be sure you research it properly and go with a doctor who is well-recommended and has performed the procedure many times before.