Bariatric Surgery as an Option for Over Eaters or Binge Eaters

Having been an over eater and addicted to food myself, I have my own opinion about this option, but I am going to let you make your own decision while I merely present the facts as truthfully as I possibly can. Hopefully I can save you time by having done all the research for you.

Firstly, you need to understand that money often drives statistics and information on the internet. It also influences the medical industry and I advise you to not blindly trust the advice of your doctor. Do your research properly before making the decision to have surgery in order to get thin, and don’t just get your information from one source. Get it from places that are for the surgery, and those who are against it so that you have a balanced and as truthful a view as possible.

Bariatric Surgery is done on the stomach and/or intestines to help an extremely obese person lose weight. It’s an option for people who have a body mass index (BMI) above 40, or for those with a BMI between 35 and 40 who have fatal health problems like heart disease or type 2 Diabetes. The amount of food that can be eaten after surgery is limited by the size of the pouch and the size of the opening between the pouch and the intestine.

PROS:

• You can’t eat more than a certain amount which usually results in weight-loss
• Weight loss usually begins soon after surgery, due to smaller portions of food being eaten
• Health improvements are noted due to weight loss because of smaller portions eaten
• Dramatic improvement in hypertension within a few months
• If you have tried unsuccessfully to lose weight, but still find you have an over eating problem, bariatric surgery will force you to eat less

CONS:

• If you have existing heart or lung conditions, or if you are not mobile, you may be at greater risk of heart attack or lung failure during or after the surgery
• If you have a history of blood clots you can be more prone to heart attack, pulmonary embolism, stroke or deep vein thrombosis during surgery
• Infections can occur, affecting the initial wound or abdominal cavity. Abdominal infection is rather serious. This can also result in prolonged hospital stays or additional operation
• *4.6% chance of death within a year
• Common side effects is hypoglycemia or a form of hyperinsulinemia
• Reduced absorption of nutrients
• 29.1% patients have complications after surgery or in hospital following surgery, and 40% have complications within the first 6 months after surgery.
• Under 1% death rate

Choose high volume institutes with surgeons who are well versed in performing bariatric surgery, otherwise the surgery can lead to complications and even death.

You can also check these links; I have tried to get the best, most unbiased and truthful information for you so that you don't have to wade around the internet trying to find the facts:

After about 5 years after the surgery, most patients lose enough weight not to be considered obese any longer, although their BMI stays at approximately 35 or less. Most often, they remain overweight but not obese.

On a personal note: as someone who has suffered with over eating and food addiction, I would strongly suggest that if you do have surgery, you learn to eat healthily and do not continue with your old eating habits.