Obesity has become a real health issue in most developed countries. In the USA, obesity cases among children has risen to more than double digits in recent years, and tripled among adolescents. This is attributed to changes in dietary varieties among other factors (Brethaue et. al., 2006, pp. 993-1007). Bariatric surgery is one of the several ways utilized as a remedy to this health hazard (Sewell & Rohrbough, 2008). This method has been used to aid in losing weight quicker, especially if other methods have failed. This report will discuss bariatric surgery and its effectiveness in weight loss among obese patients.
Bariatric surgery encompasses several procedures performed in order to …show more content…
These are the gastric band and the gastric bypass surgeries. In gastric band, the surgeons use a band to reduce the size of the stomach. This provides the effect of making one feel satisfied faster than normal, since the reduced stomach can hold less content. On the other hand, the gastric bypass surgery is performed in such a way that the digestive system (small intestines) is rerouted past most of the stomach (Gill et al., 2011, pp. 1083-1089).
These surgeries have resulted in reduced mortality and morbidity associated with obesity related problems. It has been associated with long term body weight loss, which occurs much faster than with other techniques. A study done in the USA revealed that, patients who underwent the gastric band surgery lost between 40 to 50 per cent of their excess body weight (Kini & Rao, 2012). Those that choose the gastric bypass lost around 60 percent of excess weight on average. This surgery also resulted in health improvement of those that had been suffering from other obesity related …show more content…
For one to lose weight as planned, they have to review their diets and exercise regularly (Kini & Rao, 2012). The doctors further prescribe certain dietary restrictions and a change in life style. This means that the surgery by itself might be inadequate if not coupled with other weight loss methods. People who have undergone this procedure still have to stick to a lifelong weight loss plan in order to avoid gaining weight again. Such a plan should involve regular and rigorous exercise combined with a well-controlled diet.
Every surgical procedure has its own risks. There are several risks that are associated with bariatric surgery. Some of the immediate or short term complications include: internal bleeding, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism among other complications. Certain conditions such as high blood pressure increase the risks of these complications (Kini & Rao, 2012). However, demise after bariatric surgery is quite rare. A study of 157,000 patients who had undergone this surgery found that the risk of death, 30 days after the surgery, is actually less than 0.1 percent (Brethaue et. al., 2006, pp.