Article at a Glance
Obesity affects more than one-third of U.S. adults and 17% of the nation’s youth.[1] Complications associated with the condition, which is marked by a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, span far and wide. Increased risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and diabetes are just a few of the serious health issues linked to obesity. To combat these risks, many individuals begin to explore their weight loss surgery options.
Weight loss surgery, or “bariatric surgery,” is a collective medical term that encompasses different forms of surgical procedures intended to reduce an individual’s caloric intake. The most common types include gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and adjustable gastric band. Oftentimes, these procedures are sought after at the recommendation of a physician, after unsuccessful attempts to lose weight through diet and exercise, or both.
By committing to surgical weight loss procedures, the individual undergoes significant physical changes to their digestive system to restrict the volume of food their stomach is able to hold. The process may also result in the restriction of nutrient absorption in efforts to cause weight loss.
Although risk factors presented during the actual bariatric surgery procedure itself are low, long-term complications often present themselves later and are commonly observed during patient follow-ups. Some weight loss surgery side effects are more serious than others, and while risk factors vary from one individual to the next, many are significant enough to give patients pause.
In an effort to help you reach an informed decision about your weight loss options, this guide will cover critical information about bariatric surgery, its types, and its related risks.
To ensure patients who opt for bariatric procedures are ready to undergo an invasive weight loss surgery, they should first develop a thorough understanding of each type and the processes it entails.
The most commonly performed bariatric surgery worldwide is gastric bypass surgery. It is also the most complex weight loss procedure and requires the division of the stomach into two smaller sections. After the stomach is divided into a smaller upper portion and a lower larger section, the small intestine is divided and rerouted. As a result, the new, smaller stomach section can only accommodate smaller meals. Subsequently, less digestion takes place, which also results in a change in hormones and a decrease in the amount of nutrients absorbed. Following the procedure, patients are required to maintain a lifelong vitamin regimen.
Often referred to simply as “the sleeve,” sleeve gastrectomy is an irreversible procedure which entails the removal of the stomach. Roughly 80% of the stomach is removed, leaving what is known as a “bariatric sleeve” or “gastric sleeve,” behind. Although it does not require food stream re-routing and typically requires a hospital stay of just two days, the sleeve procedure is known for its high rate of early complications, including sleeve leakage and wound infections.
The adjustable gastric band, or lap band, is the second most frequently performed weight loss surgery. It gets its name from the adjustable inflatable band which is inserted into the body laparoscopically and placed around the stomach’s uppermost region. While it is minimally invasive, it still poses risks of complications due to the fact that a foreign device remains in the body. Additionally, mechanical issues and slippage of the band can occur. Of all available bariatric surgery options, gastric band has the highest rate of re-operation.
The risk-to-benefit ratio is a key factor that can be used to drive decision making for patients seeking the best way to lose weight. While bariatric surgeries are FDA-approved and are generally considered to be safe, they still present a number of post-operation risks and side effects. The specific types of risks an individual may face will depend on the type of surgery being performed and any preexisting health conditions, among other factors bariatric surgeons can assess prior to the operation.
Short-term bariatric surgery risks include:
Long-term bariatric surgery risks include:
Some of the side effects posed by the bariatric sleeve, lap band, and gastric bypass are experienced shortly after the procedure and can be resolved rather quickly. Nonetheless, these complications could impede an individual’s ability to heal as efficiently as they may have hoped. Short-term risks include:
There are also many potential long-term side effects of bariatric surgery, including:
Individuals seeking weight loss solutions must also consider costs of procedures. Costs can vary based on location, insurance coverage, and the particular procedure being performed. Moreover, the amount of money spent on procedures is only one figure to bear in mind; costs from treating complications (if they arise) and income lost from time taken off work may also be incurred.
The average price of gastric bypass surgery is $23,000 (at the higher end, figures climb to $35,000), while lap band and sleeve gastrectomy cost roughly $15,000.
In certain conditions, health insurance providers may offer coverage to assist with some bariatric surgery costs. Most providers require the individual to have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or more with dangerous weight-related health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or severe sleep apnea. In many cases, a history of failed weight loss efforts most also be demonstrated.
For many individuals living without severe comorbidities, a BMI of 40 is commonly required. Many people are therefore faced with continuing to live in poor health until reaching their insurance provider’s threshold. Not only does this delay the individual from living the full, rewarding life they hope for, but it also accelerates risks associated obesity, including poor cardiovascular health.
Instead of gaining additional weight and further jeopardizing one’s health, proactive individuals are encouraged to rid themselves of the physical and emotional burden of obesity for good with the expert guidance and advanced clinical care provided by Cenegenics’ weight loss solutions.
By completing an Elite Health Evaluation and engaging in comprehensive care provided by Cenegenics physicians and clinical staff, average patients commonly observe a 30% reduction in body fat within the first year. Candidates for bariatric surgery with a BMI 35 or higher would likely see a reduction in body in excess of the 30% experienced by average Cenegenics patients. Additionally, Cenegenics treatment can significantly reduce and manage comorbidities such as:
After assessing the risks associated with invasive weight loss surgeries, many individuals find themselves asking: Is there a better alternative? What is the best way to lose weight? And, how can I reduce my body fat safely?
Cenegenics’ team of physicians provides comprehensive services to address these issues. Their medical experts take an all-encompassing approach to wellness to understand the precise factors that contribute to obesity in each individual. From there, tailored treatment programs are developed to spur results in a way that works best according to the body’s unique metabolic factors.
Cenegenics is a U.S.-based healthcare company focused on delivering 100% personalized, physician-developed age management solutions in the areas of improved sleep and cognition, enhanced energy levels, and weight loss.
At Cenegenics, individuals undergo a comprehensive, full-day evaluation to assess and collect data, which represents extensive information regarding the person’s cardiometabolic and obesity-related risk factors.
Oftentimes, nutrition and exercise are perceived as simple, straightforward concepts. They are not. Nutrition, for one, is a complex system which encompasses an interplay of hormones, macronutrients, genomics, and other contributing factors. Understanding the ways in which these factors are linked, as well as the role they play in weight management, requires in-depth medical assessments for each individual. Similarly, exercise should not be approached in a “one-size-fits-all” fashion, as unique types of bodies respond differently to certain forms of exercising. To compound these complex factors, the body undergoes significant changes as it ages. Thus, the way a person responds to certain eating habits and fitness routines can change with age.
For this reason, Cenegenics takes a comprehensive yet individualized approach to provide realistic weight loss programs that incorporate scientific, evidence-based tactics. As a result, patients are able reach their weight loss goals and keep weight off for the long term.
Cenegenics implements innovative diagnostic technology to identify the best solution to obesity and long-term weight loss for each individual by assessing the following key criteria:
Following the series of tests, the individual meets with a Cenegenics physician and their clinical team, who will develop a personalized plan of action and share a trajectory of milestones to strengthen the focus and intention of the individual’s program.
Understanding the need for ongoing support, the Cenegenics physician and clinical team continue to follow-up, thereby ensuring that each milestone is accomplished and progress is being made. Throughout the process, the Cenegenics team educates each individual on how different foods, beverages, and lifestyle choices affect their obesity-related biomarkers to provide a more thorough understanding of their efforts.
While each individual experiences a varying speed of progress due to unique starting points and challenges, all Cenegenics patients are continuously challenged to reach their next milestone.
From the cost of Cenegenics to its significantly low risk factors, many individuals seeking effective weight loss programs find Cenegenics to be an attractive alternative to weight loss surgery. The Cenegenics Elite Health Evaluation carries a very limited amount of risk due to the comprehensive structure of the program. The program is also fit specifically to participants’ unique composition to further mitigate risks and enhance odds of success. While meeting with a Cenegenics physician, individuals will review their unique blood values to learn about individual risk factors associated with cardiometabolic and neurocognitive diseases.
These in-depth laboratory results are observed along the Elite Health Evaluation’s findings of bone mineral density, body composition, vascular inflammation and intima-medial thickness, oxygen consumption and cardiac output, and neurocognitive analysis to determine and develop a total plan of action, detailed to the patient.
Individualized bioidentical hormone therapy, customized nutraceuticals (healthy weight loss supplements), and exercise recommendations are provided alongside a unique, personal nutrition plan to follow, all under the guidance and directive care of Cenegenics physicians and staff.
As the weeks and months pass, the Cenegenics team continuously engages with the patient to ensure the successful transition into a new, optimized lifestyle. An individual’s motivation levels may waver, as is commonly observed with weight loss efforts, but the Cenegenics physicians and team understand that the path to long-term success is different for everyone. Because of this, each patient’s plan of action is catered to their own unique priorities while promoting the loss of excess weight. Each patient is fully supported by a staff of professionals and can therefore feel confident in their ability to take the next step, conquer the next obstacle, and overcome the next hurdle to build healthy, sustainable relationships with food, exercise, and themselves.
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We hope the information above assisted you in your research process.
[1] National Conference of State Legislatures, 2018
[2] Canadian Journal of Surgery, 2014
[3] University of Rochester Medical Center, 2018.
[4] Bariatric Times, 2010.
[5] The American Journal of Surgery, 1996.