Surgery for weight loss 101

By now, everyone knows that we have an epidemic of obesity in north America. Obese people are no longer in the minority; they are everywhere and very visible. Obesity is no longer a hidden disorder seen only in rural America. It is everywhere. One can walk down any street in America and there are fat people everywhere. Americans should take heart- obesity is now a global problem. This truly has been one of the most successful exports of North American society. Except for a few countries in Africa, almost every nation is beset with the problem of obesity.

Data from the communicable disease center indicates that about 50 percent of adults and more than 20 percent of children and teenagers are overweight. The real numbers indicate that at least 10% of these adults are morbidly obese. Morbid obesity is currently defined as having at least 100 pounds or more over the recommended body weight.

One should not trivialize obesity, it is not harmless. While it may appear to be physically distressing, obesity is associated with a number of serious medical problems. The majority of obese individuals go on to develop high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, depression, and urinary incontinence.
Obesity today is on par with smoking as public enemy number one. The condition is preventable in the early stages but once started, it is extremely difficult to control. Despite years of intense research, no one can really explain the onset of obesity. Not only are the complications of obesity hard to manage, but we have run out of options on how to prevent/treat it.

Countless therapies have evolved over the past 30 years. There are herbs, potions, lotions, potions, drugs, surgery and even alternative care therapies- they all have one thing in common- high failure rates when it comes to control of obesity.

Surgery for weight loss

Many obese individuals have it rough and wish they could lose weight fast. Many individuals would like to have bariatric surgery but often feel afraid (sure, cannot blame anyone- Who is not afraid of surgeons?). Complications of bariatric surgery are plentiful on cyberspace. Many people who have undergone weight loss surgery, but success is never guaranteed. Sometimes it is the individual who has unrealistic expectations and other times it is the surgeon hyping up the treatment.

In any case, surgery for weight loss today is more refined and generally safe. Many newer minimally invasive procedures have been developed which means less time mucking around with surgery, less risk of anesthesia and no large incisions. Surgery is much superior to drugs when it comes to weight loss. However, not everyone can undergo weight loss surgery. Obese patients are always at risk for complications when they undergo any type of surgery. Over the years, certain criteria have been developed to ensure both patient safety by selecting the right patient.

Candidate for bariatric surgery

The surgeons do agree that just looking at an obese patient is not adequate to determine his/her eligibility for weight loss surgery. The current guidelines in North America for selecting patients for weight loss surgery include the following:

- Individuals who have failed to lose weight
with drug therapy. The drug therapy should
have been tried out for at least 3-6 months
- Individuals who have failed to lose weight
after enrolling in an intense exercise program
of more than 12 month duration
- Individuals who have a BMI in excess of 40 kg/m2
- Individuals with a BMI between 35 and 40 kg/m2
and also have on or more co morbid conditions.
This may be uncontrolled diabetes, arthritis,
poor life style or bed ridden.