The Debate on Weight Loss Surgery

The Debate on Weight Loss Surgery

Weight loss surgery is a very sensitive issue. An obese person is classified as a person who weights more than 100b or double their ideal weight. Being obese is not only a health issue but is also a social issue which face many developing countries. Weight loss surgery claims to increase longevity and improve health. It has been refined to prevent complications and alleviate discomfort for patients. Individuals who are obese usually have associated health problems such as diabetes, hypertension and sleep apnea. Advocates of weight loss surgery argue that it can assist in managing these problems. On the flipside, critics argue that there is currently no conclusive evidence to suggest that weight loss surgery increases life expectancy or improves health.They purport that weight loss surgery often involves a second or third operation to fix problems which arise after the initial surgery. They contest that this is dangerous and the surgery is very complicated. They state that when weight loss surgery goes wrong, it can be life threatening.

The health risks to weight loss surgery are pulmonary embolism, liver disease, kidney disease, stomach cancer, esophagus, pancreas and bowel; and vascular thrombosis, just to name a few. They also contend that obese people should exhaust all options to lose weight before resorting to weight loss surgery, which they view as the last option. They encourage individuals to join support groups, try psychotherapy and exercise regularly. They believe that non-surgical treatments are much more effective that weight loss surgery.