Throughout history, women and men have struggled with weight problems, especially obesity.  It is especially hard to keep up with today's lifestyle and eat healthy in order to maintain or lose excess weight.  Excessive weight problems can cause a number of physical as well as emotional problems.  One condition that has been directly related to obesity is depression.  Having excessive weight takes a toll on one's self esteem and self image thus tailspinning a person into depression.  Other problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension are also common conditions associated with obesity.

One medical invention that has became quite popular in the controlling of weight is laparoscopic gastric bypass.  There are things to consider though before one decided to have this miracle weight loss surgery.  Just as with any other medical procedure, laparoscopic gastric bypass has its advantages and disadvantages. 

One of the advantages of this weight loss surgery is that it is the most common weight reduction performed in the United States.  Research estimates that thousands of Americans undergo this surgery everyday.  Gastric bypass surgery is also reliable for longterm weight loss.  It is estimated that the longterm weight loss average is approximately 60-75% of excess body weight.  Gastric bypass works by both restriction and malabsorption and the average hospital stay is usually only 2-3 days.  Another advantage of the surgery is that significant malnutrition after the surger is unusual and not common.  Something else that makes this weight loss surgery so appealing is that it is usually covered by most insurance companies.  Each year it is estimated that over $2 billion dollars are spent on healthcare problems caused by excess weight.  By having laparoscopic gastric bypass, significant improvements with health problems such as Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, hypertension, high cholesterol, high triglycersides, heartburn from gastro-esophageal reflux, and urinary stress incontinence reduce after one has this surgey.

Just as with any other surgery, laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery also has its disadvantages.  One disadvantage to the surgery is that it is not reversible or adjustable.  Another big disadvantage of having the surgery is food intake.  Several patients who have had the surgery say that food consumption tends to make them nausious, vomit, or both.  One also runs a 0.5-1% chance of dying from the surgery due to infections.  5-10% of patients also reported significant perioperative complications.  There is also a 10% longterm chance of stricture of gastrojejunostomy.  Some of the longterm risks associated with laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery include protein deficiency, vitamin deficiency, and marginal ulceration of the gastrojejunostomy.  There is also a 2% longterm risk on intestinal obstruction. 

One should always consider the advantages and disadvantages before having any type of surgical procedure.  It is always better to be cautious than to be sorry later down the line.