Pros and Cons of Weight Loss Surgery

If you are considering weight loss surgery, you probably already know it has many pros and cons. Weight loss surgery can help you achieve your weight loss goals, but you need to be realistic about the outcome. Weight loss surgery is a serious life-changing experience. Regardless, of which weight loss surgery you decide, the process is both costly and requires that you make several very large changes to your lifestyle. As with almost any surgical treatment, there are both pros and cons to think about. Losing weight is not an easy task, and it is important that you be aware of the cons of surgery before going forward.

One of the main pros of bariatric surgery is that you will lose an abnormal amount of weight in a short period of time. Typically, you will lose more than half your body weight. This can be extremely beneficial if you are extremely overweight or obese, or have other health issues that inhibit your ability to lose excess weight on your own. You should also consider that you will most likely need to repeat the procedure if you go weight loss surgery multiple times.

Another pro is that with this treatment you will experience dramatic weight loss. When you have Gastric Bypass or Banding done, part of your stomach is removed so that the part of your small intestine can handle food better. When your stomach is not able to process food as quickly, you will likely end up feeling hungry for a longer period of time. Also, you will likely wind up losing more fat than you would without this procedure.

A third are associated with bariatric surgery is that you can reduce or eliminate the risks of developing diabetes after you undergo the treatment. Bariatric surgery is known to improve the way that your body reacts to insulin. As you lose weight after your procedure, your body will process insulin a lot more efficiently. If you have had diabetes before, this can reduce the risk of developing the condition again after your bariatric surgery.

Although some experts will disagree, another one of the pros of having bariatric surgery is that it can help you live a longer and healthier life. Your mortality rate will decrease dramatically if you lose a great deal of weight through this procedure. In addition, you will be able to enjoy other positive benefits as well. Your chances of heart attack, high blood pressure, stroke, and other health conditions will be greatly reduced after your procedure. These pros are important to some, but some critics question the longevity of these results. The truth is that most people only experience a reduction in their BMI for a year or two, which is still considered to be a successful weight loss.

One of the main pros of weight loss surgery is that it can provide you with the financial means necessary to get back on track with your finances. Most insurance policies will cover at least some portion of your medical expenses after you undergo gastric bypass surgery. You may even find that your monthly payments are greatly reduced after your procedure.

Another important pro to this type of procedure is that it can reduce the amount of alcohol use you experience post-operation. This is because most people tend to consume more alcohol after performing bariatric surgery than they would if they did not have the surgery. As a result, you may need to abstain from drinking alcohol or at least limit your intake to moderation if you want to avoid additional complications after your operation. However, experts say that this effect is usually short lived, especially if you do not smoke.

Of course, some experts will argue that there are some cons to bariatric surgery as well. Some risks can be severe, including infection, hematoma (a collection of blood clots), and necrosis (death of tissue). Other risks include the gradual onset of diabetes, organ rupture, stroke, and heart attack. If you are at risk for one of these complications, then you should talk to your doctor about other possible options, such as exercise and diet. The pros and cons of weight loss surgery will likely influence your own decision, but you should also take into consideration your long-term goals and your personal comfort level.