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New Years resolutions often focus on weight loss driven by self-imposed edicts to eat better and be more active. But many people who struggle with obesity have been unable to lose significant weight or keep it off with diet and exercise alone. Weight loss surgery can offer morbidly obese individuals a new start for a healthy life and a positive outlook in the New Year.
Weight loss surgery is proven effective for the treatment of clinical obesity; however, it is a life-altering decision that should not be taken lightly.
“The decision to have weight loss surgery is much more significant than simply committing to go on a diet on January 1st to drop 10 pounds by summer,” says Dr. David Provost, a bariatric surgeon in north Texas. He adds, “I recommend that anyone considering weight loss surgery in the New Year to do some basic research about different procedures and the commitment that is required for long-term success.”
Patients must learn new eating habits, may have to take vitamin supplements, and will need to stick with the dietary changes for the rest of their lives after surgery to maintain a healthy weight. Research shows that 95% of people break their New Years resolution before the end of January. When it comes to weight loss surgery, however, falling back into old habits several months or years after surgery can mean regaining the weight that originally seemed to melt away—and re-experiencing the physical and emotional strain that comes from being obese.
Weight Loss Surgery Options
“Gastric bypass surgery and adjustable gastric banding, or Lap-Band surgery, are the two most common bariatric procedures,” explains Dr. Provost. The vertical sleeve gastrectomy, more commonly known as gastric sleeve surgery, is gaining popularity; however, less data exists on long-term patient outcomes beyond five years.
Gastric bypass surgery patients can expect to lose 70-80% of their excess weight within the first year after surgery. The majority of patients keep the weight off long-term, research shows, and the mortality rate is less than one-quarter of one percent. Gastric bypass has the longest track record of success for the treatment of clinical obesity, but patients still face a variety of risks, including leakage along the suture line, hernias, and vitamin deficiency.
Adjustable gastric banding patients generally lose only 30% to 50% of their excess weight, but the procedure offers several benefits, as well. Adjustable gastric banding is easily reversible, the operation has less risk of complications than other bariatric procedures, and the mortality rate is only 0.16%--even lower than the laparoscopic gastric bypass. On the negative side, many people do not want to have a device implanted during surgery, and patients must schedule follow-up visits with their bariatric surgeon every few months to have the tightness of the band adjusted.
Gastric sleeve surgery has only been around for a few years and there is no research on the long-term success of the procedure, but initial data is very positive. Studies show that patients generally lose 50% to 80% of their excess weight within 6-12 months. The mortality rate is comparable to gastric bypass surgery; however, the overall risk of complications is lower because the procedure does not reroute the digestive tract. Similarly, gastric sleeve surgery is a restrictive procedure, which limits a patient’s caloric intake, but does not induce malabsorption, like gastric bypass surgery, reducing the risk of malnutrition and dumping syndrome.
A New You in the New Year
If you are tired of New Years weight loss resolutions focused around a strict diet and expensive gym memberships, and if you are at least 80 to 100 pounds overweight, you may want to consider weight loss surgery to finally overcome obesity.
Dr. David Provost is an experienced bariatric surgeon who specializes in the gastric bypass, gastric sleeve and Lap-Band weight loss surgery procedures. For people who made the New Years resolution to finally beat obesity, Dr. Provost offers free informational sessions, as well as monthly support group meetings for his patients. |
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