| Dr. John J. Kelly 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. The long term benefits of bariatric surgery can be seen by the resolution or improvement in up to 90% of the major comorbidities brought on by being overweight. These diseases may include type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, liver disease, and high cholesterol. What has also been shown is a significant survival advantage in patients who have lost considerable weight with bariatric surgery. Improved survival appears the result of lessening the incidence of heart attack, stroke , and cancer compared to patients who remain morbidly obese.
Q. What is the vertical banded gastroplasty procedure?
A. The vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) is now becoming a surgery of historical interest. The VBG involves partitioning of the stomach with a stapler then controlling the outflow of food to the remainder of the stomach by means of a constricting ring.This procedure, called a restrictive form of bariatric surgery, has been replaced with the Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band
Q. Will there be any adverse side effects after surgery?
A. Deciding on surgery to help you lose weight is a serious decision.
Depending on the procedure performed, there can be many short term and long term effects that the patient must be familiar with and will become part of his/her new lifestyle. Most of these effects can be properly appreciated and controlled and do not affect good quality of life.
However, potential patients should be aware that there are multiple risks to these procedures that may produce unwanted and adverse effects for any individual both in the short term and long term. Educating yourself in a proper program is your best way to avoid or recognize these problems before they become serious.
Q. Who are the best candidates for Bariatric Surgery?
A. The best patients for bariatric surgery are those patients who are morbidly obese (Body Mass Index greater than 40) and are ready for serious lifestyle change. These patients must be convinced they have tried and failed conventional efforts. Then, not only must they be committed to surgical change, they must also be committed to changing much about their behavior including their approach to food choices and exercise. Surgery will fail those patients not committed to true lifestyle change. Find a good multidisciplinary program that will educate you on the need for such change so you can be more successful with surgery.
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