Addressing the Myths About Bariatric Surgery

There are a lot of myths and misinformation about bariatric surgery floating around. Accurate bariatric surgery information can be hard to come by; but as you consider whether or not to take this next step on your weight loss journey, it is essential to get accurate weight loss surgery information. In this post we’re going to review and respond to eight common questions, so that you can get a good and accurate sense for whether or not bariatric surgery is right for you.

How Expensive Is Bariatric Surgery?

Many people think that they can’t afford bariatric surgery, but this is often a myth. Bariatric surgery can be very affordable. Most insurance plans cover weight loss surgery. You can also self-pay for bariatric surgery; our inclusive cash-pay bariatric surgery prices are among the lowest in the state, often by thousands of dollars.

While bariatric surgery can be expensive, the truth is that obesity is far more expensive. On average, people who suffer from obesity pay 81 percent more for healthcare, which can come out to thousands of dollars per year. In many ways, bariatric surgery is an investment that you cannot afford not to make.

Will Insurance Cover Weight Loss Surgery?

At the Bariatric and Metabolic Center of Colorado (BMCC), we accept most major insurances. However, plans change quickly; and some employers negotiate away bariatric benefits. You can call our office to see whether or not your current insurance covers bariatric surgery.

Is Bariatric Surgery Dangerous?

Many people worry about bariatric surgery side effects or even dying as a result of bariatric surgery, but thankfully these concerns are unfounded. It’s true that many years ago, bariatric surgery was unsafe. A study from 1993 found that 16% of patients experienced severe enough complications to need revisional surgery, and 1.6% of patients died from complications relating to surgery. But bariatric surgery has come a very long way in the intervening years. Today, weight loss surgery is as safe as any minor outpatient procedure such as gallbladder surgery. In fact, for many patients surgery is an outpatient procedure, and they go home the same day as their surgery.

Complications do sometimes occur, but at a certified ASMBS Center of Excellence like the BMCC they are very rare. Most complications can be prevented completely just by following our standard recommendations. In the event that a complication does occur, our double-board-certified bariatric surgeon personally commits to working with the patient until the complication is resolved.

Will Bariatric Surgery Leave A Scar?

Bariatric surgery can leave scars, but most scars are very small. We perform minimally invasive weight loss surgery, and the incisions made in the patient’s skin are generally less than one-quarter of an inch long. These incisions heal quickly, and this approach leaves fewer visible scars than traditional weight loss surgery.

Does Weight Loss Surgery Actually Work?

This is a common question, and it’s understandable. After trying for years or even decades to lose weight and keep it off, many of our patients said that they were close to giving up hope. They had tried so many different diets and programs that didn’t work, and they had started to despair about losing the weight.

If this is you, please know that bariatric surgery is a powerful tool to help you to lose weight, keep it off, and get your life back. Most of our patients lose 65-100% of their excess weight within the first year and keep it off. That could mean 100 or even 150 pounds. Imagine how that would feel.

Will I Gain the Weight Back?

Just like the last question, this question is very understandable. Many of our patients reported that before surgery they would diet and exercise like champions, and in some cases lose 50 or even 100 pounds; only to watch helplessly as the scale slowly crept back up. One reason is that when you lose weight, your body can enter “starvation mode” where it thinks it’s wasting away and works overtime to keep the weight on. Another is that without anatomical and metabolic changes, dieting for a long period can be very hard. Eventually many patients feel like they hit a brick wall and run out of willpower, and as soon as they return to their old eating habits the weight starts to come back.

Bariatric surgery addresses both of these problems. Anatomical changes to your stomach make you feel full faster and for longer, which makes adhering to a healthy diet a lot easier. Anatomical and metabolic changes make you less hungry, and also prevent your body from regaining weight as easily as it once did or going back into “starvation mode.” As a result, our patients not only lose weight; they keep it off. The success rate of bariatric surgery is very high; a national study of gastric bypass patients found that 63% did not experience significant weight regain even 7 years after surgery. And, whether weight regain happens is largely under the control of the patient. Are patients making habits out of the education we give them before surgery? At the BMCC, our weight regain is much lower than the national average. We’ll work with you every step of the way to develop a diet and exercise regimen and support plan for you after surgery so that you can lose the weight and keep it off (read our blog post on setting reasonable goals with bariatric surgery).

Is Bariatric Surgery a “Quick Fix?”

Some people believe that bariatric surgery is a “quick fix” that lets someone lose weight and keep it off without any effort on their end. This is not true. 

It’s very important that you get accurate bariatric surgery information in this area, so that you don’t go into surgery with unrealistic expectations. The truth is that bariatric surgery is a powerful solution that can level the playing field in your battle with obesity, but it is not a miracle cure. After surgery, you will need to be very dedicated to exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet in order to maximize your potential for lasting weight loss. The benefits of bariatric surgery are profound, but this type of surgery is not a “quick fix.”

Does The Pre/Post-Surgery Diet Actually Matter For Weight Loss?

Yes. Both the pre- and post-surgery diets are very important for you to maximize your chances of long-term weight loss. The pre-bariatric-surgery diet helps you to get essential behaviors down, such as eating three meals per day and avoiding snacking. This diet also helps your body to prepare for surgery, which makes surgery safer. The bariatric post-surgery diet is essential to helping you lose weight and keep it off; if you do not stick to a healthy diet after surgery, your chances of weight regain rise substantially. After surgery, our bariatric dietitian will work with you to develop a healthy diet plan that works for you.

Taking The Next Step On Your Weight Loss Journey

As you decide whether or not surgery is right for you, it is essential to get accurate weight loss surgery information. If you have any other questions about weight loss surgery, feel free to call our office and our friendly staff will be happy to help. Our double-board-certified bariatric surgeon is personally committed to answering even the hardest questions that patients may have.

Many of our patients say that the decision to undergo weight loss surgery was one of the best decisions of their lives.

“I feel like I have won the lottery and have been given a second chance in life! March 25, 2014 was the first day of the rest of my new life and I can’t even start to express in words how grateful I am.”–Rochelle Goforth, gastric bypass patient.

If you’re suffering, don’t wait. Contact our Denver office today.