The “miracle” of gastric bypass falls short of a miracle, and the dangers are daunting

A peek behind the curtain

I’ve been there. Believe me. I know how it feels.

For years, I struggled with my weight. I would lose 5 or 10 pounds, only to gain 15 or 20 back. It was a terrible roller coaster that left me depressed and feeling worse about myself every time.

So I can imagine how appealing it would be to hear about an ultimate solution. Something dramatic that would put all the frustrations to rest.

A solution like that would be even more tempting for someone struggling with obesity and type 2 diabetes.

That solution exists. For some, it works. But there’s a catch — and a big one. With silver bullets, there always is.

An ordinary miracle

If you consult with a bariatric surgeon, don’t expect him to talk you out of gastric bypass surgery (GBS). He’ll assume you’re looking for a surgical solution. And he’ll be happy to provide.

He also has great press on his side. Years ago, doctors saw type 2 diabetes reversed in some GBS patients. So GBS developed a “miracle cure” reputation.

But you know how it is with miracle cures. There’s always a “Wizard of Oz” factor. You have to pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.

A new study evaluated more than 4,400 GBS patients. Within five years, two out of three achieved type 2 remission. But five years later, one-third of those remissions relapsed.

That puts the 10-year success rate at 44%. And that’s an “F” on any grading curve,

Still, a lot of patients did succeed. But for many of them, you can be sure there were horrific moments along the way.

About 40% of GBS patients suffer side effects. These include abdominal hernias, infections, acid reflux, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Researchers link GBS with neurological problems too, like cognitive decline and progressive vision loss.

And then there’s the death rate…

In a Journal of the American Medical Association study, researchers followed medical records for 16,000 GBS patients. In the 35-44 age group, 5% of men and 3% of women died within one year of surgery. Death rates were even higher in older age groups.

But there’s one last detail that puts a permanent tarnish on this silver bullet solution.

Lifestyle and dietary changes are essential to GBS success. Daily exercise is a must. Patients have to diligently manage caloric intake. No snacking. No junk food. Simple carbs are kept to a minimum.

Ummm… I’m no surgeon, but I’m pretty sure if you follow those guidelines, you’ll lose weight. You might even reverse type 2 diabetes. And without going under the knife.

And most importantly — without the terrible risks.

Sources:
“A Multisite Study of Long-term Remission and Relapse of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Following Gastric Bypass” Obesity Surgery, Vol. 23, No. 1, January 2013, springer.com

“Diabetes May Recur After Bariatric Surgery” Larry Hand, Medscape, 12/6/12, medscape.org