How to evaluate surgical options ?

As you consider weight loss treatment with bariatric surgery, it’s important to assess your options using these critical factors: safety, effectiveness, and support.

The safety of a procedure can be indicated by complication rates, mortality rates, or the need for secondary procedures to resolve problems.

The effectiveness of a weight loss procedure can be measured in weight loss at 1 year and weight loss at

3 years or more. Most weight loss procedures have 1-year results. However, longer-term results are a better indicator of effectiveness. Improvements in obesity-related health conditions after surgery, such as type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and obstructive sleep apnea, are also good indicators of effectiveness.

Experts agree that ongoing support following any procedure is essential to help patients modify behaviors, lose weight, and keep the weight off. The surgeon and staff at the surgeon’s office play a vital role in providing support before and after surgery. The clinic may also offer support groups for patients and provide access to counselors, dietitians, and nutritionists. Talking with the surgeon’s staff and patients is a good way to find out how much support is offered by the bariatric clinic. It’s also important to speak with your friends and family about their willingness to provide encouragement and support.

Restrictive and malabsorptive procedures

Bariatric surgeons and their patients have a choice of procedures that use different techniques, or combine techniques to achieve weight loss. Restrictive procedures decrease food intake by creating a smaller stomach. Malabsorptive procedures alter the digestive process, causing food to be poorly digested and incompletely absorbed. The following information will help you understand more about available surgical options, including the benefits and risks.



