http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/29/health/research/29prognosis.html?ref=healthhttp://archsurg.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/archsurg.2011.45v1
On average patients at a university hospital in Belgium had lost 43 percent if their weight with the help of gastric band surgery, however a new study shows that in nearly half of the patients, the bands had been removed because of medical complications.The bands eroded in almost one in three patients, the researchers found. Sixty percent had undergone additional surgery, including 17 percent who went on to have gastric bypass. Researchers concluded that the adjustable gastric band surgery, which is growing in popularity in the United States, “appears to result in relatively poor long-term outcomes.” The results “are worse than we expected,” said Dr. Jacques Himpens, of the European School of Laparoscopic Surgery. Dr. Himpens advised those considering gastric band surgery not to have high expectations, adding that anyone who has had the procedure should see a care provider on a regular basis and be vigilant for signs of infection or band erosion.
On average patients at a university hospital in Belgium had lost 43 percent if their weight with the help of gastric band surgery, however a new study shows that in nearly half of the patients, the bands had been removed because of medical complications.The bands eroded in almost one in three patients, the researchers found. Sixty percent had undergone additional surgery, including 17 percent who went on to have gastric bypass. Researchers concluded that the adjustable gastric band surgery, which is growing in popularity in the United States, “appears to result in relatively poor long-term outcomes.” The results “are worse than we expected,” said Dr. Jacques Himpens, of the European School of Laparoscopic Surgery. Dr. Himpens advised those considering gastric band surgery not to have high expectations, adding that anyone who has had the procedure should see a care provider on a regular basis and be vigilant for signs of infection or band erosion.
this is just another reason why people should not rely on surgery to lose weight. there are too many risks and disadvantages to weight lose via surgery. it's better just to eat right and exercise, even though it takes a bit longer. it's better for you in the long run.
ReplyDeleteA lot of people who struggle with weight problems or even something as serious as obesity, turn to having such surgeries as this one. I've heard about complications with it, but most of those have been on the patient's end. Most just think they can go on eating what they wish after having the surgery, but this is not the case. It surprises me that there are also issues with the band itself.
ReplyDeleteObesity has become somewhat of an epidemic in the United States. Somewhere around 66% of adult Americans are overweight, and 33% percent of adults are obese. Obesity causes so many health problems. Have you ever seen a morbidly obese old person, or even an obese old person for that matter? Obese people are simply not healthy enough to live long lives. Additional body weight leads to the heart having to work harder, joints becoming damaged, and your blood can become thicker than pancake batter. Diabetes is NOT reversible.
ReplyDeleteThere are some people out there with certain genetic problems that lead to the body not being able to lose weight the old-fashioned way. That being said, the vast majority of overweight and obese individuals are simply unwilling to give up their unhealthy lifestyles in favor of losing weight. Dieting is a huge commitment, and it always will be. Mother nature did not intend for there to be shortcuts to losing weight. There is no good substitute for a healthy diet and exercise. Gastric Band surgery, and Gastric bypass surgery are substitutes for diet and exercise, but it's not that simple. There is a large string attached to those surgeries. Gastric bypass, for example, has a risk of killing the person receiving it on the operating table. Gastric band surgery is safer, but as this article states, it has run into a lot of problems for those who have a gastric band. As much as many of us wish that we could walk into the doctors office and receive a prescription for panacea, making all our health problems disappear with the drop of a hat, there is really no substitute to exercise and a healthy, balanced, and varied diet.