JAMA: Bariatric Surgery Greater Risk than Previously Thought(Quick note: I am now accepting personal training clients in Weston, Florida. Limited spots available. Email me at doug@personalfitnessadvantage.com for details.) Over the last few years, I've gotten acquainted with bariatric surgery risk. I had a family member who went through gastric bypass. I've trained a significant amount of "post-op" bariatric surgery patients. I even had the pleasure of training a bariatric surgeon with an impeccable record of integrity. I'm bothered though. Here's why: Bariatric surgery is big business. Here is website information from one facility which performs weight loss surgery: "Now there's hope for safe and permanent weight loss. The Center for Weight Loss Surgery at ------------, can help you bring an end to unsuccessful diets and risky medications and achieve consistent, permanent weight loss. We can help you reshape your life....Has your doctor ever told you that your weight is harmful to your health?....Have you been frustrated with a seemingly endless array of unsuccessful diets, medications, exercise programs, and other weight-loss methods? If so, you’ll find new hope at The Center for Weight Loss Surgery at ------------.” Hmmm...Maybe this information should include a quote from a recent study published by the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). Dr. David Flum, lead author of the study, while discussing weight loss surgery, states, "The risk of death is much higher than has been reported." Let me restate Dr. Flum, "The risk of death is much higher than has been reported." Hmmm...that's good to know. The website "ad copy" that I included a couple paragraphs above made me want to puke! On top of the fact that it's obviously written by someone who has taken courses in marketing, and knows how to pull emotional strings, it completely dismissed the fact that proper diet and exercise do work!! "The endless array of unsuccessful diets, medications, exercise programs...". Hmmm, well if the medications aren't working, maybe the docs shouldn't prescribe them. And if the exercise program isn't working, maybe the person needs to see a qualified exercise professional who actually knows what they're doing! I don't know of one person who has gone through gastric bypass who has tried "everything". Here's what I usually see" They "tried" exercise, but it was inconsistent and performed in a flawed manner. Of course it didn’t work. They didn't have the equation right. If they did have the right approach of supportive nutrition and proper exercise (cardio, strength, and flexibility) in the right duration and were consistent in it's execution, they could absolutely lose fat in a consistent and healthy manner. One of my clients who recently went through gastric bypass recently revealed to me "I wish I would've tried this before I went through with the surgery. I know it would have worked." That really says it all. If you know of someone who is considering weight loss surgery and feels that they have "tried everything", I assure you that they haven't. Please pass this article along to them. If you would like, feel free to contact me at (954) 755-9121. Because I'm in appointments for most of the day, you'll probably get the voicemail. Leave me a message and I'll call you back. Or you can just reply to this email or send an email to doug@personalfitnessadvantage.com. Regards,Doug Jackson, M.Ed.,CSCS P.S. Here's a link to an article discussing the recent JAMA article that I mentioned above:http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051019/ap_on_he_me/fit_obesity_surgery_risks Sign up for Doug's can't miss newsletter, Fitness Empowerment Ask Doug your most pressing fitness-related question Schedule a FREE phone consultation |