Weight Loss Surgery

Weight Loss Surgery

Weight loss surgery is considered major surgery. Although most patients enjoy an improvement in obesity-related health conditions (such as mobility, self-image, and self-esteem), these successful results received after the weight loss surgery should not be the overriding motivation for having the procedure. The goal is to live better, healthier, and longer.

The most important step in weight loss surgery is getting all of the information you need about the various surgical options. Weight-loss surgeries are procedures that can be used to cause significant weight loss if you are very obese. Before any weight-loss operation, your doctor will give you a complete medical examination and evaluate your overall health. You also will have a psychological evaluation. This will determine whether you are ready to stick to a healthier lifestyle. If you are not ready to make lifestyle changes and have not tried hard to do so already, you will not be considered eligible for the procedure. Without changing your lifestyle, the surgery will not be a success.

Basically, weight loss operations fall into three categories:

1. Restrictive procedures make the stomach smaller to limit the amount of food intake.
2. Malabsorptive techniques reduce the amount of intestine that comes in contact with food so that the body absorbs fewer calories.
3. Combination operations take advantage of both restriction and malabsorption

Restrictive weight loss surgery works by reducing the amount of food consumed at one time. The theory is simple. When you feel full, you are more likely to have reduced feelings of hunger and will no longer feel deprived. The result is that you are likely to eat less. In a cooperative and compliant patient, the reduced stomach capacity, along with behavioral changes, can result in consistently lower caloric intake and consistent weight loss.

Weight loss procedures that alter digestion, known as malabsorptive procedures, were developed to work in conjunction with restrictive approaches. These techniques involve a bypass of the small intestine, thus limiting the absorption of calories.
In recent years, better clinical understanding of procedures combining restrictive and malabsorptive approaches has increased the choices of effective weight loss surgery for thousands of patients. By adding malabsorption, food is delayed in mixing with bile and pancreatic juices that aid in the absorption of nutrients. The result is an early sense of fullness, combined with a sense of satisfaction that reduces the desire to eat.

Although the results of weight loss surgery can be drastic, there are potential risks and complications. As with any surgery, there are operative and long-term complications and risks associated with weight loss surgical procedures that should be discussed with your doctor.

Possible risks include, but are not limited to:

Bleeding*
Complications due to anesthesia and medications
Deep vein thrombosis
Dehiscence
Infections
Leaks from staple line breakdown
Marginal ulcers
Pulmonary problems
Spleen injury*
Stenosis

*Removal of the spleen is necessary in about 0.3% of patients to control operative bleeding.

Ultimately, the decision to have the procedure is entirely up to you. After having heard all the information, you must decide if the benefits outweigh the side effects and potential complications. Weight loss surgery is only a tool. Your ultimate success depends on strict adherence to the recommended dietary, exercise and lifestyle changes.