| Dr. Manish Parikh 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. There are many long-term benefits of bariatric surgery, including 1) significant, durable weight loss, much more than afforded by diet and exercise alone 2) significant improvement or resolution in obesity-related comorbidities such as diabetes, high blood pressure, joint pains, etc. 3) longer survival
Q. What is the vertical banded gastroplasty procedure?
A. This is a procedure where the stomach is divided with staples and fitted with a band to limit the food intake. This procedure has essentially been replaced with the laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, which does not require any cutting of the stomach.
Q. What is the Cost of Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery?
A. The cost of surgery depends on the hospital and what insurance you carry; however, generally insurance pays for the surgery if you are eligible for weight loss surgery.
Q. Will there be any adverse side effects after surgery?
A. There are risks to any surgery, ranging from infection, bleeding, blood clots to leak (depending on the type of bariatric surgery you undergo) and reoperation. Nutritional deficiencies are rare after surgery if you comply with your surgeon’s recommendations and follow up routinely with him/her.
Q. Who are the best candidates for Bariatric Surgery?
A. The best candidates are those who are generally 100lbs overweight (Body Mass Index > 40 or Body Mass Index > 35 with obesity related comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, joint pains, etc.) and are motivated to lose weight, have been overweight for at least 5 years and have failed to lose weight on their own, have no ongoing substance abuse or psychoses, and are over 18 years old. Willingness to change your eating behavior and lifelong commitment to healthy behavior are the best predictors of success after weight loss surgery.
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