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Obesity Discussion · 11-23-06, 02:29 PM

Obesity surgery is "dangerous" for older people
23rd November 2006

People 65 years of age or older may have to think twice about having weight loss surgery, according to a surgeon who performs this operation in the USA.

In a review of more than 25,000 weight-loss operations, also referred to as bariatric surgery, , Dr. Edward H. Livingston and his colleague Joshua Langert found that complications rose as people aged, and showed a "steep increase" after age 65.

Livingston and Langert used length of hospital stay as a marker for surgical complications, which can include leakage of the stitches used to link together sections of the stomach or intestine; pneumonia; and a type of blood infection known as sepsis.

Among the 1 percent of patients in the study who were 65 or older, 20 percent spent a week or longer in the hospital after surgery, indicating that they experienced adverse events, while 3.2 percent died in the hospital. The researchers also found a greater risk of complications among men, people with electrolyte imbalances, and those with diabetes.
Ironically, Livingston noted, people with obesity-related conditions have the most to gain from bariatric surgery, but also are more likely to suffer complications from the surgery.

Obesity Surgery Dangerous for Older Adults

11-23-06, 02:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
Obesity Discussion Administrator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,800 Weight Statistics 8/1/2006 Start Date: 185 lb Start Weight: 152 lb Current Weight: 155 lb Goal Weight: -33 lb Weight Loss: 5/1/2007 Goal Date:	Obesity surgery is "dangerous" for older people Obesity surgery is "dangerous" for older people 23rd November 2006 People 65 years of age or older may have to think twice about having weight loss surgery, according to a surgeon who performs this operation in the USA. In a review of more than 25,000 weight-loss operations, also referred to as bariatric surgery, , Dr. Edward H. Livingston and his colleague Joshua Langert found that complications rose as people aged, and showed a "steep increase" after age 65. Livingston and Langert used length of hospital stay as a marker for surgical complications, which can include leakage of the stitches used to link together sections of the stomach or intestine; pneumonia; and a type of blood infection known as sepsis. Among the 1 percent of patients in the study who were 65 or older, 20 percent spent a week or longer in the hospital after surgery, indicating that they experienced adverse events, while 3.2 percent died in the hospital. The researchers also found a greater risk of complications among men, people with electrolyte imbalances, and those with diabetes. Ironically, Livingston noted, people with obesity-related conditions have the most to gain from bariatric surgery, but also are more likely to suffer complications from the surgery. Obesity Surgery Dangerous for Older Adults __________________