Pros and Cons of Weight-loss Surgery

A lot of research is required to decipher whether or not weight-loss surgery is the right choice for you, let alone what type of weight-loss surgery is best for you.  There are many types of weight-loss surgeries and FirstHealth Bariatric Center offers three:

• Roux-en-Y Divided Gastric Bypass
• Adjustable Gastric Band
• Gastric Sleeve

Each surgery has its own list of pros and cons that each individual considering weight-loss surgery should understand.

To learn more about which surgery is right for you, register for our free weight-loss surgery seminar.

The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass was named after the surgeon who first described the procedure, Cesar Roux. The procedure reconfigures parts of the stomach and intestine to resemble a stick Y-shape. The surgery reduces the capacity of the stomach so it only holds one ounce of food.

Pros:

• Rapid initial weight-loss
• Minimally invasive
• Used successfully in the U.S. for many years
• Minimal diet restrictions
• No device implanted
• Improves certain pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes

Cons:

• Bypassed portion of digestive track leads to reduced absorption of essential nutrients
• Lifelong nutritional supplements required
• Not adjustable
• Difficult to reverse
• Higher mortality rate than other procedures

The adjustable gastric band is the only adjustable surgical treatment for morbid obesity. The procedure reduces the size of the stomach by placing a silicone band around the upper part of the stomach, which restricts the amount of food that can be consumed.

Pros:

• Adjustable
• Less invasive option
• No stomach stapling, cutting or intestinal re-routing
• Few problems with vitamin deficiencies than gastric bypass
• Low malnutrition risk
• Reduces hunger sensation
• Short procedure time
• Overnight hospital stay
• No leaks/low complication rate

Cons:

• Slower initial weight loss than bypass
• Regular follow-up critical for best results
• Not recommended for all patients
• Device implanted
• More frequent follow-up may be required

The gastric sleeve procedure has become an increasingly popular surgical option for weight-loss. “The Sleeve” is a restrictive surgery that permanently removes 85% of the stomach. This procedure is very common among people who have other existing health conditions that make restrictive/malabsorptive surgery less safe. The surgeon divides the stomach into two parts with staples. They will make one side into a narrow tube and the other will remain unused. When you eat, the food will travel through the narrow tube and since the tube can only hold a few ounces of food, it will make you feel full sooner.

Pros:

• Overnight hospital stay
• No re-routing of the intestinal track
• Lifelong supplements not needed
• Low complication rate
• No risk of marginal ulcer, internal hernia
• Fewer vitamin deficiencies than gastric bypass

Cons:

• Not reversible
• 85% of stomach removed
• Complications include staple line leak, staple line bleeding, stricture

It is important to do your research and meet with a doctor to determine which type of weight-loss surgery would be best for you. To learn more about the weight-loss surgery options offered by FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital attend one of our FREE weight-loss surgery seminars the first Thursday and third Monday of every month.

FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in partnership with Pinehurst Surgical offers weight-loss treatment to patients in the Pinehurst, Raeford, Sanford, Lumberton, Laurinburg, Rockingham, and Troy regions of North Carolina and beyond.