The Pros and Cons of Bariatric Surgery for Weight Loss

If you're morbidly obese and have tried to lose weight through diet and lifestyle changes with minimal results, you know how frustrating it can be! At some point, you may consider the possibility of bariatric surgery for weight loss. Is this the best treatment option for your obesity?

Because of the risks of bariatric surgery for weight loss, this treatment is generally only used if you're morbidly obese and have failed to respond to more conservative measures such as supervised nutritional therapy, exercise, and diet medications. There are also established criteria for selection of bariatric surgery candidates based on BMI. Generally, bariatric surgery is only considered in patient who have morbid obesity, which is defined as a BMI of greater than 40. Surgery may also be an option if your BMI is less than 40 and you have underlying medical conditions that can be exacerbated by obesity.

Although bariatric surgery for weight loss can be an effective means of losing weight initially, it's not a substitute for the lifestyle changes which will be necessary over time to maintain the initial weight loss. For this reason, your doctor may recommend counseling and consultation with exercise and nutritional therapists prior to approving bariatric surgery for weight loss.

The risks of bariatric surgery for weight loss should also be considered before undertaking this procedure. Some studies have shown that up to 40% of patients undergoing bariatric surgery have complications within the first six months of the procedure. The risk of death from this procedure can be as high as 2%. In addition, it's common to experience nausea and vomiting after surgery which can result in dehydration. You're likely to develop a common syndrome called "dumping syndrome" after bariatric surgery for weight loss. This occurs when bariatric surgery patients consume foods high in fat or sugar and results in symptoms of lighheadedness, sweating, nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping.

In addition, the costs of bariatric can run over $30,000 in some cases which in some cases won't be covered by health insurance. To complicate matters even further, not everyone who undergoes bariatric surgery for weight loss experiences long term improvement in their obesity. Studies have shown that as many as 50% of patients are unable to maintain a significant degree of weight loss even after the surgery.

If you're considering bariatric surgery, it's best to educate yourself regarding the benefits and risks of the procedure and how this surgery may alter your future lifestyle. By being an educated patient, you'll be more likely to make a decision that's right for you.