One of the most common concerns for people who are considering weight loss surgery is the safety of the procedure. Nobody ever wants to experience complications during an operation, especially in an elective procedure, and this leads many patients to ask questions about the safety of different types of weight loss operations.
We love when patients ask these types of questions because it shows that they are really committed to their care and outcome. To help shine a light on the safety of a few different procedures, we decided to take a look at some of the safest weight loss surgeries that are currently being performed. You can find more information about the safety of three common weight loss procedures in today’s blog.
Safest Weight Loss Surgeries
Before we dive into the safety of specific procedures, we believe it’s important to let readers know that there are a number of other factors that play into the success and safety outside of the operation itself. For example, younger patients and those without preexisting health conditions like diabetes or heart disease will generally experience better outcomes or have a reduced risk of complications than older individuals or those with preexisting health issues.
That’s not to say that the presence of a preexisting condition should scare you off from a weight loss procedure, because the weight loss surgery can help you shed extra pounds and become a much healthier version of yourself. You’ll want to have a conversation with your surgeon about your individual benefits and risks in order to make the best decision for your health. Just know that while most weight loss procedures performed in the US are very safe, there are a number of outside factors that also play a role in whether or not you experience complications or issues with your operation.
With that said, here’s a look at the safety of three different weight loss procedures:
- Gastric Bypass – A gastric bypass operation divides the stomach into two sections by creating a smaller secondary stomach pouch. This pouch is then connected to the small intestine so that there is less room in your total stomach cavity, helping you to feel full faster and consume fewer calories in the process. Gastric bypass is a very safe procedure, even for older patients, as it has a very low rate of complications and morbidity.
- Sleeve Gastrectomy – A sleeve gastrectomy procedure helps you lose weight by removing a large portion of your stomach, which in turn reduces its size and capacity. This procedure has become much more common in recent years and is actually the most common type of bariatric procedure performed. It has become the most common bariatric procedure because of its effectiveness and because of its low-risk profile, even among older adults or those with comorbidities.
- Gastric Banding – The gastric banding procedure involves the insertion of a silicone band around the top portion of the stomach, limiting how much food can enter the stomach. It can be performed on a minimally invasive basis and the band can be removed should it end up causing any issues, although the need to remove it is rare. It is considered one of the safest weight loss procedures that is offered, as the mortality rate is less than one in 3,000 patients.
Dr. Bhatti and the team at The Bhatti Weight Loss Center would be more than happy to have a more in-depth discussion about the safety and effectiveness of the surgical procedures we offer. We never move forward with any treatment if the patient has concerns or we determine the risks simply do not outweigh the potential benefits. Patient safety is our priority, and we want to help you find the weight loss solution that’s right for you. For more information, or for answers to any weight loss questions you have, reach out to Dr. Bhatti and his team today at (952) 368-3800.
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