Choosing Bariatric Surgery

The Right Choice

Surgical procedures reduce the size of the stomach and rearrange the digestive tract. The smaller stomach can only hold a tiny portion of food at a time. Operations include gastric bypass and laparoscopic gastric banding. These procedures are only an option for people who are dangerously overweight, due to the potential for serious complications.

Benefits

• Multiple studies have documented that severe obesity is associated with very high risk of health problems, early death and cancer. 
• The loss of as little as 10% of excess weight has been shown to reduce or eliminate medications for associated hypertension, diabetes and lipid disorders.
• In addition, patients may resume exercise and become more active.
• Sleep apnea and shortness of breath can be reduced or eliminated.
• Overall improved self-esteem and establishing a new healthier lifestyle can be the end result.

Risks

• Surgery for severe obesity is a major operation in which complications can arise whether performed by laparoscopic or open technique. Overall about 5-8% of patients have a risk of a complication related to the surgery, and 0.5% risk of death. 
• Other than the known risk of anesthesia and any major abdominal surgery the specific problems which have been reported include infection secondary to leakage from the stomach or intestine; bleeding or injury to the spleen; GI tract obstruction secondary to adhesions scarring or strictures; malnutrition or anemia; ulcers; chronic vomiting or diarrhea.