Pros and Cons of Weight Loss (Bariatric) Surgery

Sometimes, diet and exercise only go so far to help people lose excess weight. For many of us, the extra weight isn’t due to a lack of willpower or effort. Rather, it's a progressive condition, potentially intensifying due to genetic and environmental factors.¹

Weight loss surgery, or bariatric surgery, can help you lose weight and lower your risk of medical issues associated with obesity.² If you have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher, or you suffer from a weight-related medical condition and your BMI is 35 or higher, you may be a good candidate for bariatric surgery.³ But you must still be willing to make lifestyle changes to help keep the weight off.²

Read on for an overview of bariatric surgery, the pros and cons of opting for this type of weight loss option, pricing and the various types of bariatric surgery you might consider.

What Is Bariatric Surgery (Weight Loss Surgery)?

At its simplest, bariatric surgery (or weight loss surgery) is a medical procedure performed by a highly trained specialist to change the way your body digests food and helps you lose weight.²

Normally, when your body is digesting food, it moves through your esophagus and into your stomach. Your stomach breaks the food down and passes it into the intestines, which absorb nutrients.

In addition to making healthy lifestyle changes, weight loss surgery can change your normal digestive process in two ways:²

• Restriction: Shrinking the size of your stomach so that it holds less food, which limits how much you can eat

• Malabsorption: Shortening or going around (bypassing) part of the small intestines, which limits how many calories and nutrients your body can absorb

Individually or combined, these changes to your digestive system can encourage weight loss.

Types of Bariatric Surgery

Currently, there are different types of bariatric surgery to consider for those interested in weight loss surgery.

Gastric bypass

Gastric bypass surgery, also called Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, separates the stomach into two parts, which include a stomach pouch, and then connects the upper part of the stomach directly to the lower part of the small intestine, altering the digestive process. Since the procedure limits the amount of food you can comfortably eat and drink, you’ll feel full sooner.⁴

LAP-BAND®

The LAP-BAND (Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding) procedure involves tying a band with an inflatable balloon across the upper part of your stomach to create a small pouch. Your doctor can inflate the band during “adjustment" appointments to control the size of the pouch, which helps limit how much food you can comfortably eat before feeling full.⁴

Gastric sleeve

A gastric sleeve procedure, or sleeve gastrectomy, removes about 80% of the stomach, leaving a narrow, tube-shaped portion of the upper stomach. This limits the amount of food you can eat due to your stomach being able to store less food. It can also reduce the hormones that control hunger so you’ll feel less hungry, and full sooner.⁴

Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch

A biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch combines gastric sleeve with gastric bypass surgery. This procedure is more invasive than other weight loss surgeries, removing a large part of your stomach, shortening the digestive process and thereby limiting the number of calories absorbed and changing how and where your body breaks down food. This type of weight loss surgery is usually recommended for people with a BMI of 50 or higher.⁵

Pros and Cons of Bariatric Surgery

If you are considering a bariatric procedure, it’s important to carefully weigh the pros and cons of weight loss surgery.

Benefits of bariatric surgery

There are a number of potential benefits associated with getting bariatric or weight loss surgery:⁶

• Improved quality of life

• Decreased physical limitations

• Decreased pain and fatigue

• Decreased chance of type 2 diabetes

• Slowed or reversed symptoms of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

• Decreased hypertension

• Decreased chance of stroke and heart attack

• Decreased mortality

• Decreased obstructive sleep apnea

• Decreased obesity-associated cancers, including colon, gallbladder, breast and pancreas

• Decreased symptoms from polycystic ovarian syndrome

• Decreased infertility rate

Changes to diet, exercise and lifestyle habits are also vital for individuals to see long-term success after weight loss surgery.⁷

Potential side effects

Like all surgical procedures, weight loss surgery can have potential complications and side effects that should be considered before making a decision, including:⁸

• Acid reflux

• Chronic nausea or vomiting

• Inability to eat certain foods

• Stomach obstruction

• Low blood sugar

• Malnutrition

• Ulcers

• Hernias

Check with your weight loss surgeon to help determine what type of weight loss surgery may be a fit for you.

Good Candidates for Bariatric Surgery

You may be considering bariatric or weight loss surgery, especially if you are feeling the negative effects of weight-related conditions such as:¹

• Diabetes

• High blood pressure or cholesterol

• Breathing problems

• Sleep apnea

• Heart disease

• Arthritis

• Depression

But who is an ideal candidate for weight loss surgery? You may be eligible for bariatric surgery if you:³

• Have a BMI over 40

• Have a BMI over 35 and a weight-related condition (comorbidity) as mentioned above

• Have a BMI of 30 or more with type 2 diabetes that isn’t controllable with diet and exercise

How Much Does Weight Loss Surgery Cost?

Depending on the specific procedure, weight loss surgery can cost anywhere from $12,000 to $35,000:

• Gastric band: $12,000 to $25,000⁹

• Gastric sleeve: $15,000 to $25,000¹⁰

• Gastric bypass: $18,000 to $35,000¹¹

• Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch: $23,000 to $30,000+¹²

The cost of weight loss surgery will depend on a few factors, including:

• Whether or not you have insurance

• Insurance criteria

• Geographic region

• Type of procedure or device

• Use of anesthesia

• Device fees

• Consultations

• Follow-up care

Some insurance carriers may cover the cost of weight loss surgery if it’s considered medically necessary.

If you’re considering weight loss surgery, discuss your options with your doctor to determine the best type of weight loss surgery for your health and your goals. Keep in mind that you’ll be expected to change your lifestyle habits, committing to a new diet and a regular exercise program.

Financing Weight Loss Surgery With the CareCredit Credit Card

Ready to revitalize your appearance and boost your confidence? The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for weight loss surgery and related expenses not covered by health insurance.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit so you can stop dreaming and start living your best life. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Kate Bayless is a health and wellness freelance writer with 15 years of experience. Her work has appeared in Parents, Women's Health, Beachbody and OpenFit.