Pros and Cons of Weight Loss Surgery


Are there pros and cons of weight loss surgery? It's an important question to ask before undergoing any invasive procedure. Weight loss surgery can be an excellent choice for people who want to improve their health or who have tried and failed with diet and exercise programs. If you decide to go ahead with this procedure, you will need to think carefully about the pros and cons of weight loss surgery. The decision should not be taken lightly.

Bariatric gastric bypass surgery is a major life-altering procedure. No matter what weight loss surgery you ultimately decide on, the process is costly and will take you making several changes to your lifestyle, including making permanent changes in your diet and exercise habits. As with any invasive surgery, there are both pros and cons to think about. In some instances, the dramatic weight loss created by bariatric surgery may make you question whether it's really worth the risk and potential disadvantages.

One of the obvious pros to bariatric surgery is the dramatic weight loss. When you lose more than half of your body weight, the volume of your stomach is reduced, and this means that your digestive system works more efficiently. Your metabolism increases and burns calories at a higher rate. You can expect to lose about one pound a week as your body sheds excess skin and reabsorbs nutrients. This effect lasts about two months to three months, after which you'll likely need another refill.

Another obvious con to bariatric surgery is the potential for health risks. You'll need to monitor your nutrition, as it reduces your absorption of nutrients. You may experience symptoms such as dizziness or lightheadedness. Some patients also report that they develop infections at the site of the surgery.

The advantages of gastric bypass surgery fall into four groups: safety, efficiency, results and price. Safety is probably the most obvious pros and cons of weight loss surgery. Your risk of developing a serious medical condition will be reduced if you undergo the procedure. Your risk of developing gallstones, blood clots or stroke will also be substantially reduced. In addition, you may also experience less pain or bleeding and may even be able to avoid the staples or stitches required for this procedure.

Another pro to bariatric surgery is cost. It's usually less expensive than other weight loss surgeries, depending on how much of your stomach is removed. If you have a particularly large amount of excess skin or fat, your surgeon may perform an abdominal pouching operation instead of the duodenal switch, which may require additional surgery. The surgery itself usually costs $6k or less.

An additional two to bariatric surgery is the potential for alcohol use after the procedure. Since you will be in recovery for several weeks, you will probably need to stop drinking alcohol or reduce the amount you drink to avoid complications. Gastric bypass surgery patients typically re-train within a few months. After you stop drinking, you should not re-enter alcohol use until approximately six months after your surgery has been performed.

Of course, one of the biggest pros to bariatric surgery is the incredible benefits it has to offer. Not only will you lose weight, but you will also prevent or significantly reduce your risk of serious medical conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. By reducing your risk of these illnesses, you will also increase your quality of life. Bariatric surgery is definitely a worthwhile endeavor if your goal is weight loss.

Another pro to lap band surgery is that it provides a more permanent solution to your obesity problem. This isn't possible with most of the other methods available to you. For example, gastric sleeve and gastric band surgery are great short-term solutions. However, if you want to get rid of your weight permanently, then you are probably going to have to consider a more long-term solution like gastric bypass surgery.

Finally, one of the most dramatic pros to bariatric surgery is its potential for life-long use. Unlike many other weight loss surgery options out there, this procedure can actually help you to lose a significant amount of weight. In fact, the average patient can expect to lose up to 120 pounds after having this procedure done. If you have an extreme case of obesity, then lap band may be the best option for you.

As you can see, there are many pros to weight loss bariatric surgery. Even though it does come with some risks, most patients find that the benefits of this procedure far outweigh the cons. So if you think that you may benefit from lap band surgery, then you should look into all of your options. You should never make the mistake of assuming that only one type of procedure will be right for you. Take the time to understand all of your options so you can get the best treatment possible.


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