Bariatric Surgery

KYW Medical Reports Sponsored By Independence Blue Cross

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Bariatric surgery has rapidly gained in popularity in the past ten years and for those at high risk—the morbidly obese or people who are obese with serious health risk factors—it can make a big difference.

It has been called the most effective form of weight loss. It is something that can be turned to when other methods have failed.

Someone who is going to have bariatric surgery needs counseling and support before it is undertaken. There are risks –one of the concerns is pulmonary embolism or dangerous clots after surgery but the risk is relatively low.  More common is iron deficiency anemia which can occur is as much as fifteen percent of cases. The reoperation rate is about eight percent.