Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric efficiency statistics according to the New England Journal of Medicine:   Decrease in mortality by 92% from diabetes mellitus.   Decrease in mortality by 60% from cancer.   On average, after bariatric surgery, patients lose between 40% and 75% of their original body weight.    If the doctor’s recommendations are followed, the weight of patients 10 years after […] Read More

No. Weight loss surgery is very safe and decreases the chance of dying from obesity. In fact, weight loss surgery is safer than removing the gallbladder or having a knee replacement. A recent study of 209,116 patients found the risk of death from weight loss surgery was 0.16% or approximately 1 in 600. This rate […] Read More

After surgery, most patients have improved mental health, but there may be a small increase in the risk of suicide. This is why patients are required to have a mental health screening before surgery. People affected by severe obesity who are seeking weight loss surgery are more likely to suffer from depression or anxiety and […] Read More

There is a small group of patients after weight loss surgery who have a problem with alcohol abuse. Most of those people, but not all, already had experiences with alcohol abuse before surgery. Recommended precautions after weight loss surgery: • Avoid alcoholic beverages during the rapid weight-loss period, and then drink only rarely; • Be […] Read More

As long as patients take their appropriate vitamins, it is rare to have health problems with vitamin deficiency. Weight loss surgery can lead to reduced amounts of vitamins and minerals because people eat less and may absorb less in the intestines. Weight loss surgeries have different effects on vitamins and minerals based on how much […] Read More

Yes. Many insurance companies require patients to be on a weight loss program before qualifying for surgery. Many bariatric surgeons put their patients on a special pre-operative diet, usually 2 or 3 weeks just before surgery. The reason for the pre-operative diet is to shrink the liver and reduce fat in the abdomen. This helps […] Read More

For many patients, exercise is important for stress control and appetite control, as well as burning off calories. As we age, lack of activity can lead to being frail or fragile, which is quite dangerous to overall health. Healthy bones and avoiding muscle loss partly depend on doing weekly exercise. Most patients also think of […] Read More

Over time, some people regain weight despite bariatric surgery. Some eat high-calorie or high-fat foods instead of healthy foods and eat them too often. Some people rely on “soft meals” such as ice cream and milkshakes. The body itself may change over time, too, leading to weight gain. The digestive tract might begin absorbing more […] Read More

After weight loss surgery, the body has difficulty absorbing certain important nutrients, including: • Iron; • Vitamin B-12; • Folate; • Calcium; • Vitamin D. However, taking a daily multivitamin, plus other supplements, can prevent or reduce these deficiencies. Read More

Obesity-related medical problems will generally improve after weight loss surgery. These include: • Obstructive sleep apnea; • Type 2 diabetes; • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD); • High cholesterol; • Degenerative joint disease or orthopedic issues; • High blood pressure; • Asthma; • Urinary incontinence. Read More