Should you Consider One of the Types of Weight Loss Surgery?

Several types of weight loss surgery are now available.

But how well do these different procedures work? How dangerous are they? And is surgery the right weight loss choice for you?



Is Weight Loss Surgery An Extreme Measure?

The concept of doing surgery to facilitate weight loss came from the observation that patients who had large portions of their intestines removed as treatment for cancer invariably lost weight following these operations.

The first type of weight loss surgery, the jejuno-ileal bypass or JIB was similar to these radical cancer operations. While surgeons didn’t actually remove anything during a JIB, by connecting the first part of the intestine directly to the colon they caused food to bypass most of the length of the small intestine.

This procedure dramatically reduced the amount of nutrients and calories that could be absorbed from food that entered the gut and resulted in a significant amount of weight loss.

Unfortunately, in many cases it also resulted in malnutrition, liver failure and other serious complications giving rise to rise to the idea that bariatric surgery was both extreme and dangerous. Fortunately, there are now many types of weight loss surgery options that pose much less risk than those early operations.

In addition, for those who are severely obese, bariatric surgery has proven to be a far more effective and lasting weight loss treatment than any other form of weight loss therapy.

According to the World Health Organization, bariatric surgery is single most effective way to decrease weight and maintain weight loss for those with a body mass index greater than 35.

As a result, for the morbidly obese, weight loss surgery is now considered to be the treatment of choice rather than the treatment of last resort.


Is Weight Loss Surgery Dangerous?

There are dangers involved in all surgeries. And the danger of weight loss surgery is often compounded by conditions associated with obesity such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

However, some types of weight loss surgery no longer involve cutting or stapling the intestinal tract and many can be done using minimal incisions or with a laparoscope. Over the years, physicians have also learned how to prevent many of the complications that can accompany bariatric surgery.

As a result, weight loss surgery is no longer considered to be more dangerous for the morbidly obese than other types of abdominal surgery.



Risks of Not Having Surgery

While all types of weight loss surgery involve some risk, if you are very obese, the risk of not having weight loss surgery may very well exceed the risk of having it.

Obesity, and particularly severe or morbid obesity is associated with a variety of disabling and life threatening diseases including diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, gallstones, liver disease, sleep apnea, depression and several types of cancer.

In addition to seriously decreasing the quality of life, these diseases also decrease the quantity of life: Morbid obesity reduces life expectancy by a whopping 20 years.


How Much Does Weight Loss Surgery Cost?

Unfortunately, with an average cost of $20,000 to $25,000 bariatric procedures are a bit pricey.

In addition, those who undergo any of the various types of weight loss surgery require long -term medical follow up. The price of surgery can also increase if medical complications arise as a result of the procedure.

However, when the cost of bariatric surgery is compared to the cost of medical treatment for the diseases and complications that arise from obesity, successful weight loss surgery pays for itself after about 2.5 years.

In other words, if you are able to avoid things like knee surgery, coronary artery bypass surgery or cancer treatments as a result of having bariatric surgery, it’s well worth the price!


Will My Medical Insurance Cover Bariatric Surgery?

While some medical insurers still require that other types of obesity treatments are tried before they will cover the cost of surgery, an increasing number of them now provide coverage for bariatric procedures. This is particularly true if the surgery performed to correct an obesity-related illness.

In 2004, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also reduced barriers to obtaining medicare coverage for obesity treatments.

You will need to contact your medical insurance provider or local Medicare or Medicaid office to determine exactly what they will and will not cover for you.


Are you a Candidate for Weight Loss Surgery?

To be considered a candidate for any of the various types of weight loss surgery, most surgeons require that you:

Have a Body Mass Index or "BMI" of at least 35 or greater

  • Have no contraindications to surgery
  • Are aware of the risks for serious complications, dietary restrictions, and occasional failures associated with the surgery
  • Are able to provide informed consent
  • Are willing to commit to a life-long healthy eating and exercise program
  • Are willing to take supplemental vitamins and minerals if necessary, and
  • Are willing to commit to long-term medical follow up


    You should also be aware that severe overeating and obesity can be the result of an addictive behavior pattern. Addictive eating tendencies can cause complications following wt loss surgery and can also “transfer” into other types of addictive behavior. If you are a compulsive overeater psychological counseling may also be an important part of your treatment.




    What Are the Various Types of Weight Loss Surgery?

    Since the first intestinal bypass operation was performed some 40 years ago, many other weight loss procedures have been developed.

    The most common procedures currently done in the United States are the adjustable gastric band, the roux en y gastric bypass , the gastric sleeve and biliopancreatic bypass.

    Each of these procedures has its own benefits and risks.

    The procedure your surgeon recommends for you will depend not only on your preference but also on your BMI, you eating behaviors, any obesity-related health condtions that you might have, on any previous operations you may have had and other similar factors.

    In the future, I will be posting information on each of these types of weight loss surgery on this website. (For information on the roux en y procedure click here .)

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