By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    physical health
    5 Ways Playing Games Can Improve Neural and Physical Health
    September 9, 2022
    Reasons For Hair Loss and Its Treatment
    Reasons For Hair Loss and Its Treatment
    February 16, 2022
    healthcare organization
    5 Actionable Strategies For Healthcare Organizations
    August 15, 2022
    Latest News
    Why Custom Telemedicine Apps Outperform Off‑the‑Shelf Solutions
    July 20, 2025
    How Probate Planning Shapes the Future of Your Estate and Family Care
    July 17, 2025
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    health insurance rate shock
    Subsidies Will Temper Health Insurance “Rate Shock” for the Young
    June 8, 2013
    Future Diabetes Treatment Approaches
    September 12, 2011
    Image
    Delaying the “Employer Mandate”
    July 5, 2013
    Latest News
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
    How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
    July 17, 2025
    How communities and healthcare providers can address slip and fall injuries with legal awareness
    July 17, 2025
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Is Gastric Bypass the Right Choice?
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Specialties > Is Gastric Bypass the Right Choice?
Specialties

Is Gastric Bypass the Right Choice?

Michael Kirsch
Michael Kirsch
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE
Bariatric surgery, including gastric bypass surgery, has become a popular remedy for obesity in this country.  Hospitals have weighed in on this issue and are marketing this service directly to the public who are ever willing customers of this slenderizing surgery.  I have many patients who have undergone the procedure and the results have been variable.   It’s too dismissive for me to refer to gastrointestinal bypass (GIB) as a ‘procedure’ as it is major surgery with major potential complications.  There are several types of bariatric surgery av
Bariatric surgery, including gastric bypass surgery, has become a popular remedy for obesity in this country.  Hospitals have weighed in on this issue and are marketing this service directly to the public who are ever willing customers of this slenderizing surgery.  I have many patients who have undergone the procedure and the results have been variable.   It’s too dismissive for me to refer to gastrointestinal bypass (GIB) as a ‘procedure’ as it is major surgery with major potential complications.  There are several types of bariatric surgery available today, but GIB is the standard surgery performed.
It profoundly reroutes the guts and changes every day of your life.  This is not like undergoing a heart bypass surgery when after a period of recovery you resume your normal life.  After GIB, there is no normal life afterwards.  Your life is irrevocably altered.  Meals are such a significant and personal part of our lives.  Think of all of life’s celebrations and you will recognize that food is a part of them.
Scale from Ancient Egypt
I point out these strong caveats to remind folks that the decision to proceed with GIB is not a casual one.  It requires careful deliberation and an understanding of the lifelong changes that one is committing to.  In addition, this operation is no quick-fix cure.  A patient who is a food addict, for example, will regain the lost weight after surgery, a sad and predictable outcome.  This is why high quality bariatric programs screen patients very carefully psychologically.   If a program accepts nearly all applicants, then one must wonder about the quality of the institution.
Personally, I feel that bariatric programs pull the trigger too quickly and that the public is too willing to serve as targets.  These surgeries, which should be regarded as last resort rescues are increasingly offered as front line therapies.  Eligible patients are rightfully told that GIB weight loss can melt away diabetes, sleep apnea and hypertension.
Before consenting or seeking GIB, have all other methods of weight loss been exhausted?  Has the individual received intensive dietary and nutritional counseling from weight loss professionals?  Has there been an adequate system of coaching and accountability?   Quitting a diet or two after a few weeks does not constitute exhausting all efforts.  I think that the existence and marketing of bariatric programs has influenced patients to leapfrog over conventional weight loss programs directly to the operating table.
I absolutely believe there is an important role for bariatric surgeries.  I am less sure that we are performing these surgeries only when they are the most appropriate option.  It’s weighty issue for sure.  Feel free to weigh in yourself.
 
 
TAGGED:bariatric surgeryHealthcaresurgery
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

botox certification
Help Improve People’s Skin Health Via Botox Certification
Skin Specialties
July 22, 2025
Telemedicine Apps
Why Custom Telemedicine Apps Outperform Off‑the‑Shelf Solutions
Health
July 20, 2025
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
Global Healthcare Policy & Law
July 17, 2025
paramedics in surgical gloves and masks
How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
Health care
July 16, 2025

You Might also Like

benefits of getting ACLS certification
Career

How To Find The Right Healthcare Career For You And Achieve Success

February 7, 2020

America’s Health Care Diagnosis [Infographic]

March 27, 2012
SpecialtiesWellness

Understanding the Medications for Type II Diabetes

June 6, 2018
The MT Compass Star
Specialties

MT, Not Just a Modified Tweet

August 13, 2012
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?