Quote:
Originally Posted by tkinsley
Be very careful, Sidonia. I would, personally, only opt for a lap band if anything (reversible), since rerouting the innards is FULL of problems--malabsorption, dumping syndrome, bad ju-ju in general, and surgical complications to include infection and death. Worst case, obviously, but it definitely happens!
HTH
Tina
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I'm late to this thread, but it's worth mentioning that dumping syndrome is actually a desired consequence of the procedure (to an extent). Dumping syndrome is part of what decreases the patient's desire for sugary snacks, i.e., seems to decrease the desire for high carb foods.
The surgeons where I work perform, I believe, the largest number of gastric bypass operations in Canada, so I've become quite familiar with the complications. I've seen lots of post-op infections, a number of bowel obstructions due to internal hernias, and a handful of deaths. There is also an increased risk of colon cancer long term. That side of it is not pretty at all.
OTOH, one of the clerical workers in my department had the operation last fall and she's practically melting. She's lost 100lbs, I would guess. She used to be almost spherical in shape, but she's practically unrecognisable now. She's still overweight, but well on her way to a healthy weight.
The facts seem to suggest that if patients are carefully selected for this operation, there is a significant improvement in long term health.
It really does need to be the last choice after all other avenues have been exhausted, and any ethical surgeon would agree (the group here is not doing these for their own financial benefit----it pays well, but they could make the same money doing easier procedures).