Weight loss surgery

I am a 28 year old female and weight 220 pounds. I am nervous about undergoing weight loss surgery. Is this surgery safe for everyone?

Many surgeons have been hyping up weight loss procedures. Almost all of them claim high success rates. However, just because an individual is obese does not mean that he/she is a candidate for bariatric surgery. Even though the technique of bariatric surgery has changed and has become safe, it still has the potential to cause many severe complications.

There are some patients who are not deemed candidates. Individuals with absolute contraindications to bariatric surgery include those with:

- Mental health problems

- Severe manic depression

- Psychotic illness

- Active substance abuse

- Noncompliance with previous medical care

- Other psychiatric conditions, including borderline personality disorder, schizophrenia

- Limited capacity to understand

- Uncontrolled depression

- Patients who are at high risk of heart disease

- End stage liver disease

- End stage kidney disease

- Severe restrictive lung disease

Bariatric surgery is not a simple undertaking. It requires a strong commitment and can interfere with various aspects of one’s social life and eating habits. After the surgery, one has to remain committed to a certain lifestyle and an exercise program. This may mean sacrificing family, friends, adopting different diets and completely altering one’s habits.

Finally remember, there are many bad surgeons who can ruin your life. Not only are there no refunds in bariatric surgery but also the complications are often permanent. So think twice before you step in the operating room.