The Down Side of Weight-Loss Surgery

Although a moderate amount of exercise and watching what they eat would be enough for most people to reach and maintain a healthy, attractive weight, it just isn't enough for everyone. Losing weight can be more difficult for someone who is already obese than for someone who just needs to drop a few extra pounds because of factors like an already-stretched stomach and difficulty exercising, not to mention a lifetime of counting on food to be the main source of sensual pleasure.

However, before making such a drastic decision, it is wise to consider the down side of weight-loss surgery. That doesn't mean, of course, that you shouldn't sign up if you qualify (80 pounds overweight for women, 100 pounds for men). It just means that the best way to be succesful in any venture is to be prepared.

This is major surgery. According to a recent article in Diabetic Living magazine, the two main types of weight-loss surgery either removes or closes off a section of the stomach in order to restrict the amount of food the patient is able to fit in at one time, or removes part of the small intestine. The latter is to restrict the amount of food the body can absorb. There could be complications with this surgery just like with any other major procedure, and those possible complications do include death.

Dumping syndrome. This happens with removal of a portion of the small intestine, and is a side effect of food moving too quickly through the digestive tract. You may become lightheaded, experience nausea, sweating, watery diarrhea and even severe abdominal cramps.

Other disturbances. You may experience all of those lovely gastric disturbances that you sometimes feel now, as a side effect of the surgery - gas, bloating and constipation. However, you may also vomit from time to time. Rapid, extreme weight loss can lead to gall stones and stretch marks.

Although the down side of weight-loss surgery may come as quite a surprise the first time you read about these side effects, each person has a different experience when it comes to the surgery. Weigh the possible down side with what you stand to gain from weight-loss surgery and go from there. Go into it knowing that you will have to lead a healthy lifestyle of watching what you eat in order to make your surgery a success and take all possible precautions to avoid complications and deal with side effects with a positive attitude.