| Dr. Steven A. Cahalan is a bariatric surgeon and has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Bariatric Surgery.
Q. What are the long-term benefits of bariatric surgery?
A. Bariatric surgery gives resolution for diabetes, hypertension and sleep apnea in over 90% of patients. If permanent joint damage from arthritis is present before surgery, those effects of obesity will persist, although most patients with arthritis see improvement in their symptoms with permanent weight loss. Other illnesses related to obesity include infertility, various forms of cancer and cardiac disease and stroke, have excellent improvement with weight loss as well.
Q. Will there be any adverse side effects after surgery?
A. Bariatric surgery, like all medical treatments, carries some risk. The risks have improved considerably since we started our program in 2002. I have personally never had a mortality from a bariatric operation. Other risk depends on which operation we choose and we thoroughly explain risks to each patient after we’ve considered their own personal situation.
Q. Who are the best candidates for Bariatric Surgery?
A. The best candidates for Bariatric surgery are highly motivated with minimal associated diseases. The higher the patient’s BMI, the higher the risk. Our program has room for all patients. We have non-surgical treatment options for those who don’t qualify for surgery.
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