Benefits and Disadvantages of Obesity Surgeries

An Obesity surgery, also referred to as Bariatric surgery is a process that reduces the size of the stomach either by removing a part of the stomach or by using a gastric band. This surgery brings changes in the digestive process of the body in order to facilitate weight loss. There have been many concerns regarding these types of surgeries. Whether or not they are helpful? Do they have any long term side-effects? Are they beneficial in the long run? Do they actually help you live a longer life? As every coin has two sides, we shall talk about both, the benefits and disadvantages of these surgeries.

Benefits:

• On closely monitoring the patients who have undergone a weight loss surgery, it has been concluded that these surgeries provide long-term weight loss, bring down the mortality rates down by 25% and reduce the chances of suffering from any cardiovascular diseases.
• The United States National Institute of Health recommends Bariatric surgeries to those who have a body mass index higher than 35.
• If the surgery is completed successfully, there are absolutely no side effects. Post surgery, there have been reports of improved health, optimized blood pressure and decrease in possibilities of suffering from diabetes or cholesterol.

Disadvantages:

• Since surgery is not a natural way of losing weight, there are some complications that may arise with time.
• Out of the many health issues faced by patients who underwent these surgeries, the most common ones were diarrhoea, pneumonia, infections at surgical sites and gastric dumping syndrome. All these complications usually arise in the absence of an experienced surgeon and if the person's previous health issues were not taken into consideration before performing the surgery.
• Since the surgery involves removal of the part of a stomach, this could lead to many gastrointestinal complications. There have been cases of extreme and undesirable weight loss after going under the knife. This makes the blessing turn into a curse for many of the patients.
• Many patients also face nutritional deficiencies after malabsorptive Bariatric surgery.

Obesity surgery is the only possible solution for many people who cannot lose weight by natural weight loss procedures. However, this surgery is not suitable for everyone. Many doctors recommend this surgery as the last available option for extremely obese people as it gives them a new lease of life. There is still no guarantee that these surgeries can be extremely helpful. People considering to get themselves operated must first go through a complete detailed body check up. It must be kept in mind that this surgery is not a luxury but the final solution if rest all weight loss methods fail to work.

Have you undergone any such surgery? Do you know anybody who has done this procedure?

source : Benefits and Disadvantages of Obesity Surgeries