the dangers of bariatric surgery
know before you decide
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The Dangers of Bariatric Surgery
In a world where people use implants to make their lips, chin, breasts or butt bigger, there ARE people trying to reduce the size of their body parts. Unfortunately, things like diet and exercise are not enough for a fraction of these people. Sometimes their genetics, mental state or insatiable appetites can cause them to gain weight until they find themselves on the dangerous side of the scales.
In most cases, people at this stage of obesity find it hard to move enough to achieve adequate amounts of exercise. Mobility issues aside, any form of body image issues can also cause serious self-doubt, anxiety and even depression; all which make an already daunting task, like losing weight, seem unattainable.
For a number of obese people, surgery can seem like an ‘easy’ way to lose weight. However, that may not be the reality. The medical procedure that we are referring to is Bariatric surgery.
In a world where people use implants to make their lips, chin, breasts or butt bigger, there ARE people trying to reduce the size of their body parts. Unfortunately, things like diet and exercise are not enough for a fraction of these people. Sometimes their genetics, mental state or insatiable appetites can cause them to gain weight until they find themselves on the dangerous side of the scales.
In most cases, people at this stage of obesity find it hard to move enough to achieve adequate amounts of exercise. Mobility issues aside, any form of body image issues can also cause serious self-doubt, anxiety and even depression; all which make an already daunting task, like losing weight, seem unattainable.
For a number of obese people, surgery can seem like an ‘easy’ way to lose weight. However, that may not be the reality. The medical procedure that we are referring to is Bariatric surgery.
What is Bariatric surgery?
Bariatric surgery is a procedure designed to reduce obesity, sounds great in theory, but as with any surgical procedure it carries risks that you need to be aware of. Most doctors will not even entertain the idea unless you meet very strict criteria and have tried other option first. Bariatric surgery is an umbrella term that encompasses several different medical procedures, which range from bypasses to sleeves and bands to balloons.
The Gastric Sleeve and Bypass are the most popular of the procedures; they are both invasive procedures that carry risks to the patient. Those who opt for the gastric sleeve have 80-85% of their stomach cut and removed, leaving a more tubular (sleeve) looking digestive organ.
The bypass, though having a speedier recovery time, still requires an invasive surgical procedure. This method involves the patients stomach being reduced and joined to a later point along the small intestines, making you full quicker and making sure your body absorbs less food and nutrients. – That’s right, after this surgery your body will actually be getting LESS nutrients! Crazy, right?
What are the risks of Bariatric Surgery?
Overall, these procedures can reduce the patient's excess weight and in turn alleviate many weight related ailments, but at what risk? What are the downsides of going under the knife? Are you going to be stuck paying off a large bill for the remainder of your life? Is it no more than a quick fix that will backfire or stop working after a year? It is important for anyone considering the surgery that it IS NOT a permanent fix, without ongoing dietary restrictions and excursive you will revert to your pre-surgery obese condition.
First and foremost: Any procedure that requires a general anesthesia is potentially dangerous. Side effects of anesthesia can range anywhere from nausea to death.. with a heap of pains and aches in between. Along with the weight loss comes a restriction of movement throughout the recovery stage and a major issue with immobile patients is blood clots. Up to 20% of patients will develop an incisional hernia. Though maybe not as serious as blood clots, there is always a chance of infection if the wound is not taken care of properly.
The procedure, itself, can come arm in arm with a number of its own complications and side effects. Though they vary with each different method and have a low chance of occurring, a risk is a risk in anyone's books. Most of the complications involved with these surgeries are based around the digestive system, as one would guess. Reflux, indigestion, Gastritis, gallstones, Esophageal dilation and hiatal hernias are just naming a percentage. Remember that you WILL need to allow time to recover after any procedure.
One of the biggest issues post-surgery is the remaining loose skin. The skin can be unsightly to some and may also lead back to those body image issues. It's an unavoidable result of losing weight quicker than your skin can tighten. This can be partially remedied with a surgical body contouring in the shape of a lower body or leg lift. (That’s right, even more surgery!)
Away from the physical side, the potential fallout from the procedures comes in the form of malnutrition. Having a smaller stomach leaves you less room for food, less nutrients, less protein, iron and calcium. Any deficiencies in these areas can result in their own separate problems and possible death if untreated. A lack of calcium can lead to bone degeneration and osteoporosis. Other side effects of the surgery include constipation, diarrhea, incontinence, decreased reflexes and even psychoses.
Lastly, almost as if it's a “be careful what you wish for” situation, you may develop an intolerance to food that causes you to vomit or become ill after eating. There is also documented evidence of higher rates of substance overdose and suicide of individuals that have had bariatric surgery.
Overall, these procedures can reduce the patient's excess weight and in turn alleviate many weight related ailments, but at what risk? What are the downsides of going under the knife? Are you going to be stuck paying off a large bill for the remainder of your life? Is it no more than a quick fix that will backfire or stop working after a year? It is important for anyone considering the surgery that it IS NOT a permanent fix, without ongoing dietary restrictions and excursive you will revert to your pre-surgery obese condition.
First and foremost: Any procedure that requires a general anesthesia is potentially dangerous. Side effects of anesthesia can range anywhere from nausea to death.. with a heap of pains and aches in between. Along with the weight loss comes a restriction of movement throughout the recovery stage and a major issue with immobile patients is blood clots. Up to 20% of patients will develop an incisional hernia. Though maybe not as serious as blood clots, there is always a chance of infection if the wound is not taken care of properly.
The procedure, itself, can come arm in arm with a number of its own complications and side effects. Though they vary with each different method and have a low chance of occurring, a risk is a risk in anyone's books. Most of the complications involved with these surgeries are based around the digestive system, as one would guess. Reflux, indigestion, Gastritis, gallstones, Esophageal dilation and hiatal hernias are just naming a percentage. Remember that you WILL need to allow time to recover after any procedure.
One of the biggest issues post-surgery is the remaining loose skin. The skin can be unsightly to some and may also lead back to those body image issues. It's an unavoidable result of losing weight quicker than your skin can tighten. This can be partially remedied with a surgical body contouring in the shape of a lower body or leg lift. (That’s right, even more surgery!)
Away from the physical side, the potential fallout from the procedures comes in the form of malnutrition. Having a smaller stomach leaves you less room for food, less nutrients, less protein, iron and calcium. Any deficiencies in these areas can result in their own separate problems and possible death if untreated. A lack of calcium can lead to bone degeneration and osteoporosis. Other side effects of the surgery include constipation, diarrhea, incontinence, decreased reflexes and even psychoses.
Lastly, almost as if it's a “be careful what you wish for” situation, you may develop an intolerance to food that causes you to vomit or become ill after eating. There is also documented evidence of higher rates of substance overdose and suicide of individuals that have had bariatric surgery.
Is it worth it?
So, in the end, you need to weigh up the pros and cons and make up your own mind.
Bariatric surgery, as with any surgery has a chance of being fatal, any procedure will have a chance of complication and more care is required after the surgery is over.
The surgery is expensive. If you can afford the surgery, then there are many other effective weight loss methods out there that you should also take the time to consider.
Bariatric surgery is NOT a miracle cure. If you’re not willing to put in the effort, both physically and mentally, you’ll end up back in the same place in a year or two except for the large debt that you are still paying off.
Ultimately, it's up to you, the individual to make your decision. If you don’t have a very good support system and do not continue dieting and following a healthy lifestyle after the surgery, then it isn’t going to last. Surgery should only be considered as a last resort.
Links used
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(13)70183-9/abstract
http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/786290
https://obesitynewstoday.com/long-term-results-bariatric-surgery/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/ccf/media/files/Bariatric_Surgery/schauerbest.pdf
So, in the end, you need to weigh up the pros and cons and make up your own mind.
Bariatric surgery, as with any surgery has a chance of being fatal, any procedure will have a chance of complication and more care is required after the surgery is over.
The surgery is expensive. If you can afford the surgery, then there are many other effective weight loss methods out there that you should also take the time to consider.
Bariatric surgery is NOT a miracle cure. If you’re not willing to put in the effort, both physically and mentally, you’ll end up back in the same place in a year or two except for the large debt that you are still paying off.
Ultimately, it's up to you, the individual to make your decision. If you don’t have a very good support system and do not continue dieting and following a healthy lifestyle after the surgery, then it isn’t going to last. Surgery should only be considered as a last resort.
Links used
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(13)70183-9/abstract
http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/786290
https://obesitynewstoday.com/long-term-results-bariatric-surgery/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/ccf/media/files/Bariatric_Surgery/schauerbest.pdf