“I’m ready to have stomach surgery, but I’m scared about the risks involved”
Risks vs Benefits
As with all surgical procedures, there is always a small element of risk involved. It all depends on the type of surgery, your overall health and how well you follow the after-care programme.
However, if all checks out on the medical side and you really are focused you’ll be a new person in no time!
Weighing up the Pro’s and Con’s
The type of weight loss surgery you choose depends on many factors, including your lifestyle. For example, if you do a lot of travelling you may find the gastric band a little restrictive. Check out this quick review to understand obesity surgery options.
Gastric Banding (sometimes called a Lap Band)
Common Risks: Food intolerance
Rare Risks: Risk of reoperation – Erosion of the band into the stomach, pouch enlargement
Benefits: Normal digestion process is unaltered – Less risk of postoperative complications – Reversible, no risk of vitamin or nutritional deficiency
Gastric Sleeve (Sleeve Gastrectomy)
Common Risks: reflux
Rare Risks: leakage at the staple line, blood clots, bleeding
Benefits: the Reduced feeling of hunger – No foreign bodies around the stomach – Major impact/eradication of conditions linked to obesity, excellent eating quality
Gastric Bypass
Common Risks: dumping syndrome*, the risk of vitamin deficiencies if not supplemented
Rare Risks: Risk of an internal hernia and bowel obstruction, leakage from the internal joins, bleeding
Benefits: Considered the most beneficial, long-term weight loss obesity surgery option – Reversible – Quick and often greater weight loss results – most likely to improve or even cure diabetes.
What guarantees are there it will work?
There are no guarantees, however, when you look at the statistics you’ll see that there is a very high chance you will benefit from weight loss surgery.
Start A Conversation
Connect with a professional who can provide proof of their success rates.
Speak to other patients about their experience.
Whether you choose to undergo weight loss surgery is entirely up to you.
Your Next Step
When you’re ready for the next step, you should speak with an experienced obesity surgeon.
Weight loss surgery is appropriate for people with a BMI of more than 35, particularly when weight-related health problems have also started to emerge.
Ready? Find out if you’re a candidate here
Now arrange a consultation with one of our friendly, experienced team.