Bariatric Surgery: Examining the Controversies & Long-Term Effects

Bariatric surgery is a method of achieving weight loss by reducing the size of the stomach, either by using a gastric band or actually removing a portion of the stomach. As life-changing as bariatric surgery has been for some obese patients it is still a controversial procedure.

History

• Historically, bariatric surgery has had some health risks both during and after surgery. The lap band procedure has been viewed as safer and less invasive than gastric bypass.

Moral Implications

• Bariatric surgery has moral implications in that some people feel doctors are trying to play God by changing the way a person digests food in order to cause weight loss.

Misconceptions

• Some people view obesity as a problem that can be alleviated through diet and counseling. Most bariatric clinics do require patients to try other options before resorting to bariatric surgery.

Costs

• Gastric bypass is a procedure that is covered by most insurance companies. Some healthy people believe that they should not have to pay for the high cost of this surgery for obese people through increased premiums for themselves.

Famous Ties

• Celebrities Carnie Wilson, Roseanne Barr, Al Roker and Anne Rice have all undergone gastric bypass.