Pros and Cons of Weight-loss Surgery
| Date Posted: 2/26/2013 | Author: Mandy McCue
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.