Whether or not weight loss surgery is a good tool for successful and long lasting weight management is a matter of serious discussion. Undoubtedly, obesity is both horribly complex and chronic and leads to several health consequences - hypertension, coronary vascular disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis and many cancers, to name a few. The condition worsens in women, especially during the reproductive years resulting in complications in ovulation, periods, fertility and pregnancy. Nonetheless, medical professionals have come up with weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery or gastric bypass surgery, wherein patients can lose as many as 100 pounds. However, just like any other tool, say knife, which is used to chop food but can cause harm, weight loss surgery too has its own respective pros and cons. Scroll through the lines below to know the various advantages and disadvantages of weight loss surgery.
Advantages Of Gastric Bypass Surgery
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One of the major factors, in fact the only, that people are undergoing a weight loss surgery for is the instant reduction of the unwanted flab. Due to rerouting or reducing the stomach size, fewer nutrients are absorbed and hence, people are expected to consume less after the surgery, thereby maintaining flat tummy.
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Obese people are prone to a number of risky medical problems, especially hypertension and diabetes. By opting for a weight loss surgery, the chances of developing such health issues are reduced to a great extent. In fact, studies reveal that cardiovascular patients have shown a reduced mortality rate after going under the knife.
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Gastric bypass surgery assists in improving the general health condition of a person. And why not, after reducing a great amount of flab, you are bound to feel lighter and more mobile. Furthermore, by following a regular exercise regimen, endurance levels are also improved.
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Gastric bypass surgery is deemed to be a simple and safe process by most medical professionals. Patients are kept under observation for only a few days, probably less than a week. Hence, this surgery serves as a fast recovery treatment.
Disadvantages Of Gastric Bypass Surgery
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The area where the incision has been made should be properly cleaned and monitored, failing which can lead to subsequent infection. Therefore, it is very essential to follow an appropriate personal hygiene in order to keep bacterial infections at bay.
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With prolonged immobilization, weight loss surgery can lead to respiratory problems, the most common being pneumonia. It is very likely that a patient can complain of pain in and around the incision area resulting from coughing.
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Being immobilized for an exceptionally prolonged duration can cause the blood to get stagnant. As a result, the blood can start accumulating in the lower limbs due to less movement of the muscles, thereby developing blood clots in the blood vessels. Eventually, a serious condition, known as stroke, can occur in such cases.
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Depending upon severity of the operation, the surgery can vary from a mere rerouting to removing a certain portion of the stomach. These areas can cause leakage in some cases. As a result, the patient can suffer from malabsorption of nutrients or vitamin deficiency causing malnutrition.
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Gastric bypass surgery can also result in certain side effects, such as diarrhea, increased gas, dizziness, vomiting, bloating, nausea and excessive sweating.
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Women who have just gone under the knife to get ride of the excessive fat should wait till the body mass gets stable before getting pregnant. Avoiding this can harm the fetus due to rapid changes in the mother’s body.
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In case of serious complications that are left unattended, weight loss surgery can lead to more severe conditions or even death.