Are there substantial personal risks to the whole weight loss surge

There are substantial side effects and risks.

In an article in the Oct. 13 edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers unveiled encouraging news for people seeking surgery to reduce their weight. The studies found that surgery to lessen the size of the digestive tract resulted not only in weight loss but also reversed diabetes in 77% of obese patients, eliminated high blood pressure in 62%, and lowered cholesterol in at least 70%.

Most insurance will cover it, but you have to prove with documentation that you need it, and you tried diet and exercise without avail.

The surgery creates an open wound (or wounds), which can bleed, fail to heal, become infected, or develop a hernia.

Fluid build-up in the abdomen may cause an abscess, or a collection of pus, that must be drained.

Gallstones may develop. Gallstones may be prevented with supplemental bile salts taken for the first six months after surgery.

If you eat too much you'll get sick. Because the amount of space in your stomach is so small, do not eat and drink at the same time.

At first, you'll only be able to eat 1/4 cup of solid food (2 to 3 tablespoons of each item on your plate). Over time, the amount of food your stomach can hold will increase from 1/2 to 1 cup per meal. Your new, tiny stomach will not hold more than 1 cup of food at a time.

You're not going to be eating much, so what you eat needs to be high quality and packed with nutrients—the biggest nutritional bang for the calories. You'll also need to take a multivitamin every day to make up for the nutrients no longer being absorbed in the bypassed areas of your stomach and intestines. Your long-term diet will be low in fat and sugar and high in protein.

Weight loss surgery is successful 80% of the time. The number one reason it fails the other 20% of the time: not following the post-surgery diet. You must be disciplined and committed to sticking to the program. That includes changing eating behaviors and exercise habits.

My husband lost 100 pounds at Overeaters Anonymous. They are generally a friendly and welcoming group. Your friend might want to do some research on options. Also, there are prob. people there who have had some experience with the surgury. My girlfriend had it. She lost weight, she still has to watch herself and she gets sick when she eats things she is not supposed to have. Things she can't digest.

Hi , Any surgery carries a real risk , but by-pass surgery does have quite a high mortality rate , dependant upon age weight and all round health . 1 in 20 is about the risk factor , but some surgeons have better records than others , so do your homework . Leaking from joins , blockages , diarrhia , constipation are other side effects , but all in all it is a worthwhile operation which i am so glad i had , the benefits in my case far outweighed the risks involved . I hope this helps , take care , Garry .