Specific Complications of Restrictive Banding Procedures. Nausea, vomiting, or both in half the patients and severe heartburn in a third. Device-related complications include band slippage, pouch dilation, or both in nearly a quarter of patients and obstruction in 12%. Very serious complications are rare, but include blood clots, bleeding, infection, pneumonia, and perforation of the stomach.
Specific Complications of Malabsorptive Bypass Procedures. Vomiting often occurs. Nutritional deficiencies occur more often in these procedures. The so-called dumping syndrome is a common unpleasant side effect that occurs when food waste moves too quickly through the intestine. Symptoms include nausea, weakness, sweating, and faintness (particularly after eating sweets).
Spot ReductionSpot Exercising. Anyone seeking to lose weight must expect that the results may not be as cosmetically satisfying as one would wish. Spot exercising, training particular areas of the body, is ineffective in reducing fat in specific locations because exercise draws on fat stores throughout the body. Gimmicky devices such as bust developers, vacuum pants, and exercise belts do absolutely nothing to reduce fat in specific locations or, in the case of the bust developer, to add bulk. Electrical pads wrapped around the waist, arms, or thighs were reported to cause burns and fires. Cellulite-Removal Creams. Many women try to reduce fat in their thighs (cellulite) with creams that contain aminophylline (Skinny Dip, Thermojetics Body Toning Cream, Smooth Contours). Studies provide no evidence that these creams are effective. Their apparent effect on fat may simply be from constricting blood vessels and forcing water from the skin, which could be dangerous for people with circulation problems. Endermologie. Endermologie uses motorized rollers and regulated suction to smooth out cellulite. In one study, about 28.6% of patients reported improved appearance after using it. Liposuction. Liposuction eliminates fat in specific areas, such as the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, or knees. Special instruments are inserted through the skin into the pockets and suction is used to move the fat, break it up, and remove it. Small tubes may be used to drain blood and fluid during the first few days. The pain after the operation can be severe and often the skin does not contract, resulting in a flabby look. Complications can include burns from the vibrators, bruising, blood clots, and bleeding. Weight gain generally tends to develop in other locations after the operation. Some doctors are using this procedure in overweight people with diabetes to remove abdominal fat. Although there is no proof that it has an effect on diabetes, some experts believe it warrants some attention. |
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