Morbid Obesity - Surgery for the Morbidly Obese

Morbid Obesity
To be morbidly obese does not only feel bad physically and emotionally it is a major health risk and is a cause of an early death. Morbid Obesity technically is when a person is 100 lbs over the ideal body weight and has a BMI (or body Mass Index) of over 40. If there are at least two other serious health problems and the person is not able to achieve weight loss in under any circumstance, then a BMI of over 35 is also a qualification for weight loss surgery. Surgery for morbid obesity, as with other surgeries, has its risks, but the benefits can be totally amazing. A new body, a new social life, and much improved physical health are just a few of the benefits of morbid obesity surgery.

Surgery for the morbidly obese
Weight loss surgery can be a major benefit for those suffering from what some doctors call chronic morbid obesity. Being Morbidly obese can cause many health problems including many back and other bone problems, pain in the knee, hip and other joints, breathing disorders including asthma and sleep apnea, most, if not all cardiovascular problems, gallstones, for women gynecological problems among others. Morbid obesity surgery can eliminate some, if not all of these problems.

Gastric Bypass
For over thirty years Gastric Bypass has been available to treat this disorder. While there have been advantages such as being able to get back down to the person’s ideal weight or very close to it. There are also many risks with this, including stretching of the stomach due not following the strictly regulated diet that a person must maintain afterwards thus not losing the weight at all. In this surgery one method is to separate a small portion of the stomach and staple the remaining portion closed. Then the first section of the small intestine is also removed and the small pouch is connected to the portion of the large intestine by a small hole.

The stomach and first section of the small intestine are left in the body and the lower end of the first section of small intestine is then stapled to the side of the remaining intestine that has been attached to the small pouch. Removing the first section of the small intestine along with a major portion of the stomach causes mal-absorption of not only fat, which is intended, but also other essential nutrients and all but a small amount of water, which is absorbed in the stomach. This risk along with the risks of infection and other potential risks that follow any other surgery are there.

Gastric Bypass the Lap band
However, in recent years there has been a new surgery that is called the "Lap band ®" adjustable gastric band. As with Gastric Bypass the Lap band ® divides the stomach into a smaller and a larger portion and also decreases the amount that the person eats. However, this surgical method it is adjustable and removable. Also, because it leaves the organs intact it can be removed and digestion will occur as it did previous to the surgery. There is no mal-absorption of nutrients or food or water. However, there are risks as well as advantages to both surgeries, and both surgeries require the individual to maintain a certain diet or the patient, and possibly their loved ones have wasted a lot of money.

Gastric bypass advantages and risks
The main advantage of this is that more weight is lost and because the procedure is not reversed the weight remains off longer (according to one study done in 2000 10-14 years). In addition nearly all of the health problems caused by the excess weight are resolved by the surgical procedure. Although, the advantages seem great the patient and doctor must also weigh the risks. Some of these risks are possible blood clot formation, decreased absorption of nutrients leading to bone and other disorders. Bleeding after surgery, and intestinal obstruction.

Lap Band® advantages and risks
Weight loss is also increased because of the controlled amount of food allowed into the stomach. Also, it is minimally invasive with no re-routing of any digestive organs and thus no chance for post-surgical bleeding or intestinal obstruction. In addition if necessary it is 100% reversible leaving the patient just as they were prior to the surgery. Health is not put at risk by decreasing absorption of nutrients or fluids.

However, there are also risks, with this surgery. The lap band® is adjustable and is a foreign object and there is a possibility for it to move, slip or affect the organs in a similar ways thus requiring additional surgeries. Nausea, vomiting and constant hunger are also possible.

In conclusion: These are two possible surgical options and as with all surgical procedures there are both risks and advantages to both of these procedures. The individual and their doctor must weigh both risks and advantages before arriving to any decision.