Are You Worried About Having Surgery for Weight Loss? Let’s Talk it Through

Here at Bariatric Surgery Corner, we do not endorse bariatric surgery as a solution for everyone. We’ve seen the transformative effects of bariatric procedures on patients who were ready for the change – that’s why we run this website. However, we’re also acutely aware of patients’ many concerns and stories of patients who could not benefit from the procedure. To that end, if you’ve reached this page, you’re probably wondering whether bariatric surgery is right for you. We don’t know, but we can address the most significant concerns holding patients back from surgery. Your situation is unique, and you must decide whether surgery is the right next step.

Justifying the Risk

When it comes to undergoing any surgical procedure, especially bariatric surgery, which many would call elective or semi-elective, it can be scary to justify the risk of surgical complications for something as straightforward as weight loss. “Why not diet” they might say… However, looking at it through that lens, it’s important to point out the effectiveness of bariatric surgery and the safety of modern surgical procedures.

The effectiveness of bariatric surgery can be life-changing. Patients with severe obesity can suffer from significant and sometimes deadly compromises in bodily and psychological function. Even with the advent of GLP-1 receptor agonist medications, like Wegovy® and Zepbound®, bariatric surgery remains the gold standard in helping obese patients lose weight and improve their obesity-related comorbidities.

The Safety of Modern Bariatric Surgery

With the advent of minimally invasive or laparoscopic surgery, bariatric procedures have never been as safe as they are today. Single large incisions that could lead to infection, longer hospital stays, pain, and the potential for developing a hernia have been replaced with tiny incisions in the abdomen that heal quickly and reduce the risk of all the above. That said, bariatric surgery is not without risk, and every patient will be counseled based on the potential risks to ensure they understand the surgery’s benefits and possible downsides. Fortunately, the risks of bariatric surgery are low and drop yearly as techniques and technology improve.

Anastomosis / Staple Line Leaks

Any procedure that involves cutting away and stapling part of the stomach or bypassing part of the intestine can create an abdominal leak. These serious leaks can lead to follow-up hospital stays, additional surgery, and major complications. Fortunately, these leaks are exceedingly rare when performed by a high-volume, experienced bariatric surgeon. Most surgeons have modified their techniques and double-check their staple lines to ensure as few as possible.

Incisional Hernia

With the advancement of laparoscopic surgery, incisional hernias have become very rare. Most abdominal incisions are as small as 5 mm and heal very well, dramatically reducing the likelihood of hernia. That said, anytime the fascia of the abdomen is punctured, there is the risk of hernia, but these are usually straightforward to detect and treat.

Weight Regain

Of course, every bariatric patient worries that they will eventually regain their weight. This is a valid concern but within the patient’s control. With hundreds of thousands of procedures performed every year, the industry has protocols that minimize the risk of weight regain by guiding patients on how to keep it off long-term. Of course, a patient’s focus and dedication to their long-term weight loss is key.

Weight regain can also be mitigated with modern medications like GLP-1 drugs. For patients who have a “failed” prior bariatric surgery, revisional or conversion surgery is possible. In the hands of a skilled and experienced surgeon, it can get the patient back on track.

Pain After Surgery

Once again, minimally invasive surgery, especially robotic surgery, has come to the rescue. Because we do not make large incisions, pain is often controlled with over-the-counter medication rather than the narcotics that are usually needed after an open procedure. That said, the procedure will not be painless. Still, with a combination of analgesics and long-acting anesthesia, most patients are surprised by how little pain and discomfort they experience after their surgery.

Infection

Anytime the skin is punctured, there is the risk of infection, which is no different in minimally invasive surgery. Of course, with the smaller incisions, infection rates have been significantly reduced. Patients will also receive guidance on caring for their wounds to minimize the risk of infection. Fortunately, severe infections are rare and typically found and treated quickly and successfully.

Cost

With ever-increasing deductibles and coinsurance and the not-insignificant cost of the bariatric procedure, many patients are concerned that the cost will be out of reach. However, it’s important to understand the many benefits of bariatric surgery and losing weight, as well as improving or eliminating the diseases associated with obesity. Surgery also comes with a significant financial benefit versus the cost of long-term weight loss medication use. Speak to a multi-modal weight loss practice that offers several different weight loss options to ensure you fully understand your cost obligations and potential benefits.

Bariatric Surgery as a Failure

Some patients are turned off from bariatric surgery because they believe that “succumbing” to a surgical procedure is somehow a failure or a sign of giving up. However, it can be quite the opposite if an educated decision is made, realizing that much, if not everything, the patient has tried in the past has not worked. Realize it is a bold decision to take charge of one’s health – whether by surgery, diet and exercise, medications, or otherwise. Only you can decide that it’s time, but you can certainly explore your options to see if bariatric surgery is right for you both psychologically and physically.

The bottom Line

There are many reasons that our patients put off bariatric surgery, but one of the most common things we hear after surgery is that they wish they had done it sooner. Bariatric surgery truly is a transformative procedure that can impact almost every part of a patient’s life—from physically being able to enjoy their lives to social, emotional, and even hormonal benefits. There is no cost or shame in learning more about your options, so speak to a Bariatric Surgeon to understand more.