Monday, December 29, 2014

Should I undergo weight loss surgery?

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I have been recommended a restrictive procedure for weight loss. Any suggestions?
Restrictive procedures have been developed to make the stomach much smaller. The small stomach then creates a sensation of being full anytime food is eaten. Even small amounts of food will give a sensation of being full immediately. Restrictive stomach procedures are not new and have been around for decades.
The only significant difference today is that these procedures are done with a minimally invasive technique. That means placing small holes, using a camera and fine instruments to perform the surgery. The lap band has been an abysmal failure and if this is recommended to you, you should run from this surgeon and leave town. Sleeve gastrectomy is widely done but most patients end up with more complications than any benefit. 
Basically, in medicine when one procedure is revised many times and touted to be a cure for something, one has to be careful. Either the procedure was never effective in the first place or there is more money to be made. My advice to all patients has been the same- if you want to lose weight, eat less and walk more. This is safe, works and only requires motivation. It is also complication free unless you are texting while walking and run into a bus.

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