Dangers associated with weight loss surgery for the aged

March 28, 2006

A recent study suggests that weight loss surgery can be riskier for people after a certain age. The risk of complications after weight loss or "bariatric" surgery increases slightly for each additional year over the age of 60. The results also confirmed previous reports that a duodenal switch operation is more likely to result in complications than the more commonly performed stomach bypass operation.

Like most of the surgeries, age appears to be a risk factor for complications after bariatric surgery. The new findings are based on an analysis of data from 452 patients who underwent bariatric surgery between 2000 and 2003. The rate of major complications was 10 percent with leakage from the connected intestines being the most common type. The minor complication rate was 13 percent. Therefore diet pills are a better alternative for curtailing obesity. Phentermine and other diet pills are extremely effective for short term weight loss.

Read the complete news article here:
http://today.reuters.co.uk