Has anyone else seen this about the risks of surgery?

[Wapsie B]

http://junkfoodscience.blogspot.com/2007/10/jfs-special-latest-research-on-actual.html


I'm just wondering who to believe.

[supernova]

1. Several things stick out

Here's what I think reading this article. (Disclaimer: I am now officially obese. Ugh. But I am no where near considering surgery. I'm still in what I called "grandma fat" range when I was a kid. I'll post separately about it.)

There seems to be a high death rate associated with bariatric surgery. Why is that? Is it a specific procedure? Is it the suicides? Why are so many of these people committing suicide? Did they have the surgery in hopes to fix something about themselves that the surgery and weightloss wouldn't have fixed anyway? I.e. maybe I'll have a better love life if I lose weight? (But the weight wasn't really the problem with the relationship to start with.) I thought presurgery counseling was supposed to weed out potential problems like this, but people who are desparate will say anything to gain acceptance into a program.

Since it seems from the article that people are dying years out from surgery, is it something else rather than surgery? Is there something about the shock of so much weight loss so quickly, for example? Are you more susecptable to infection? Are there untreated psychological problems? The article doesn't address those issues.

Aren't there several procedures called "bariatric" surgery, which I'm sure you're more familiar with than me if you are considering it? The writer of this article doesn't say what s/he means by "bariatic surgery." I do know that early on there were some procedures that were very controversial and did seem, from a lay POV, to have a lot of problems. The banned couple who argued forcefully agianst it for its high mortaility rate come to mind. I don't know if that situation has improved or not.

If I were considering surgery, I would want to know what the mortality rates are for the types of surgery at the hospital I was considering. The article gives enough info to be concerned to want to dig deeper.

[Wapsie B]

2. There were a lot of question marks for me as well.

No differentiation between Gastric Bypass and Lab banding at all as well as they points you mentioned. To think the authors of these studies are Phd's makes one shudder at the flimsy and incomplete way this was presented. One would expect better from a highly educated person.

[supernova]

3. I would think

but can't be certain, that the lap banding would be much less trauma-inducing than gastric bypass, If only that you aren't doing as much cutting on the stomach and intestines. And if it gives you the same results, so much the better.

Regardless, whatever you decide, I hope you get what you need. :-)

[auntAgonist]

5. Excellent post ..

I think if anyone is considering any bariatric surgery at all they MUST , MUST do their homework! Talk to people who have had the surgery. Talk to people who are years out from surgery ... find out all you can. Some procedures are far more advanced and safer. Research is the key. Ask questions.

It took me 3 years to decide which procedure to have. I have no regrets.

aA
kesha

[AZBlue]

8. That's wonderful!

You have had good results and you took your time and really considered it. That's fantastic!

I've seen several people, including the one good friend who I posted about, that thought about it, went for the consult and had the surgery in the space of a month or two. Some people don't have a clue what really happens afterwards and the care you have to take to have positive results. And I worry about them! :)

[AZBlue]

7. I have a friend who recently underwent lap-band surgery.

Based upon watching what's occurred with her:
- I would guess the screening is not necessarily good. They just want the sales. She actually had to gain 30-40 pounds to qualify for the surgery - and that was just fine with her doctor. She also had something show up on her pre-surgery tests that normally would have delayed surgery but they just waved it off and did the surgery anyway. (Luckily it turned out to be a benign situation, but if it hadn't, the surgery would have only made things worse for her.)
- She has not addressed her issues with food whatsoever and there's no resource for her to do it. So, she eats snacks and desserts about 80% of the time. Of course she can't eat as much as she used to - but the food she eats now is pure sugar and fat and she gets very few veges or lean protein. And that doesn't seem to be changing any time soon. I think that speaks to your questions about the suicide rate - I know for me and for a lot of people, weight is a result of emotional issues. Yes, some physical factors come in too, but I wouldn't be this heavy without the emotional issues. So, using the surgery as a fix for the end-results doesn't do anything for the root of the problem and that's going to now manifest itself in other ways.
- She's lost a little weight, but not much (she had the surgery about 4 months ago). She's basically back to a little lower than her pre-surgery-binge weight - but most of that was lost before the surgery due to the protein shake diet she had to go on for a couple of weeks before they'd operate.

I think the surgery is beneficial for those who are really obese, not just those who want an easy weight-loss fix for a little extra weight. It can certainly save lives and when the benefits outweigh the risks it's a viable option. But, I think too many "clinics" have jumped on the bandwagon and are looking for a quick buck.

I also think that the patient needs counseling, both dietary and emotional, to get the most out of it. That would be great for a lot of us overweight people - I'd love that kind of counseling myself!! But if you're going to undergo surgery, you definitely want to be in the best position to get the most positive results out of it.

There are several people here on DU who have had a lot of success with it - and that's fantastic! I just don't think it's for everyone and that some people are going into it with too little knowledge and too little consideration for the effects.

(As for me personally, I'd easily qualify but I absolutely won't do it. I have no medical condition as a result of my weight other than high cholesterol and I haven't given exercise and diet enough of an honest try. As I posted in another thread, I've now been diagnosed with sleep apnea and I'm hoping the treatment for that will give me more energy and less appetite and kick-start my weight loss process.)

[auntAgonist]

4. There doesn't seem to be

any data that breaks down the types of bariatric surgery that the deaths were attributed to. There are so many different kinds!
RNY (Rouxen Y)
Biliopancreatic Diversion w/Duodenal Switch (what I had)
Sapala Micro Pouch (where they make your stomach the size of a grape)
Stapling alone.
Sleeve Gastrectomy
Lap Band (least invasive but not without it's problems at times)


and on and on ...

The bottom line is, do your research. Choose what you and your Dr team see is best for you!
If you (generic you)have an eating disorder, mental health issue, physical ailments they are still going to be present immediately after your surgery. With an attentive Dr and support group any issues that arise post surgically should be taken care of right away.

I had issues with malnutrition about a year after my surgery. My Drs were on it right away and I was hospitalized
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=337&topic_id=1503&mesg_id=1503

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=337&topic_id=1532&mesg_id=1532

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=337&topic_id=1572&mesg_id=1572

Would I have this surgery again? YES. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone though if they didn't take the time and effort to investigate fully all the ramifications.

I had my surgery in 2005. I'm healthier now than I've ever been and I'm looking forward to a lifetime of good health. Will there be issues arising from having had this surgery? Perhaps. Will I continue to have all of my labs checked every 6 months? YES.

My weight has stabilized, I feel very well, and I have more energy. My quality of life is much better imho.

Research is the key.

Best of luck to you!!

aA
kesha

[Horse with no Name]

6. When I worked at Baylor Dallas

the floor I worked on got the bariatric surgery patients.
I have to admit after viewing the complications firsthand, it made my decision NOT to have the surgery.
I spoke with one of their busiest bariatric surgeons and asked if he would recommend it to his family and he said no.
He said we don't know the complication rate (laparoscopic gastric bypass) and in twenty years, we could have nursing homes filled with patients on tube feedings.
It was enough to change my mind.
However, I will say this...and I mean it in the kindest way.
This surgery was done in a lot of instances that it shouldn't have been.
It should be when you really have no other options.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

9. I would think liposuction was a lot safer.

I had a tummy tuck back in 1994; I gained back the weight I lost, but now it's not in a roll below my waist. It's more evenly distributed around my waist and ribs.

Bariatric surgery would not do me any good, as I already eat very little and have a slow metabolism due to my dead thyroid. I've taken Armour Thyroid since I was 11 years old. The only way I'll lose weight is to exercise an hour or more EVERY DAY, as well as eating healthy, according to the author of "The Thyroid Diet", Mary Shomon.

I've tried extremely low calorie diets with lots of supplements and I just couldn't lose more than ten or fifteen pounds, under the supervision of a diet doctor. Going to a diet doctor was a waste of money, with my metabolism. I quit going when I went in one morning to get blood drawn, and I had done the overnight fast. They took the blood, I went home and ate, and went to bed all day, because I felt like hell due to my low blood sugar. That's when I decided I was starving to death, even though I was still fat.


More info: www.stopthethyroidmadness.com



I might have liposuction in the future.