In my line of work, I often field questions from patients, neighbors, acquaintances and strangers, and it never ceases to amaze me how little people understand about bariatric surgery. In this column, I intend to address the widespread misperceptions about this type of surgery. Here, I will debunk the three most common myths about weight loss surgery.
Weight Loss Surgery Helps People Shed Those Extra 20 Pounds
Many people don’t realize that gastric banding, sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass are not cosmetic procedures to be taken as lightly or performed as frequently as Botox or breast augmentation. Weight loss surgery is a definitive and final step for people weighing at least 100 pounds over their ideal body weight. These people have a BMI of 35 to 40 or higher, and have unsuccessfully tried dieting, taken medication and attempted other means of weight loss. There is consideration, conversation and qualification before a procedure. After the operation, patients must keep to a rigorous follow-up schedule. People who are 20 or 30 pounds overweight have a host of tools and approaches available to them that can assist them in regaining health, managing their appetite and keeping weight off.