Released August 6, 1999
Updated November 5, 2002
The International Size Acceptance Association (ISAA) generally does
not support the use of bariatric or weight-loss surgery (WLS). ISAA
recognizes that not all people are accepting of themselves at whatever
size they happen to be and that some people view WLS as an alternative
to the perceived health risk associated with increased weight,
especially after diets and other methods of weight loss fail.
ISAA cannot support the option of WLS, even as a very last resort. ISAA believes that long-term studies need to be performed to determine whether or not WLS
increases the chances of mortality (death) for potential recipients who are already
in ill health.
While ISAA acknowledges that WLS can result in some weight loss (10%
on average), ISAA cannot support the use of WLS for the following
reasons:
- WLS recipients can and often do regain the weight they lost, plus
more, usually within five to ten years. For example, It is possible
to stretch stomach tissue left after stapling, which defeats the
purpose of the procedure.
-
Potential WLS recipients are not fully informed
about the risks and side-effects of WLS, which can include but are not limited
to painful gastrointestinal distress, leaking of gastric juices into the
chest cavity, infection, deterioration of teeth (erosion of enamel caused by
repeated vomiting), flatulence, mineral and nutrient deprivation (especially
potassium), uncomfortable and highly odorous bowel movements and/or loose
stools.
-
Rapid weight loss, whether from dieting or from WLS, affects
muscle more than fat, including heart muscle. The long term results
of the procedure could lead to death from heart-related
complications.
-
WLS requires that the recipients eat smaller meals but more meals
throughout the day. If a person consumes more than their stomach has
been reduced to, they vomit the rest, which can lead to bulimic
behavior. The alternative is eating less, which can lead to anorexic
behavior. In addition, WLS recipients will be more inclined to obsess
about food, since they have to eat much more often with seriously
restricted amounts.
-
Finally, if WLS procedures were not sanctioned by insurance
companies, less people would have the procedures done, since the
procedures are expensive. Insurance companies sanction the procedures
because there is some recorded success rates (though with side-effects
such as listed in 2.), as opposed to straight dieting, which has a 98%
failure rate. ISAA does not support weight loss dieting nor does it
view WLS as a "necessary alternative" to weight-loss dieting.
The International Size Acceptance Association believes in educating
people that one can be healthy at any size, even a large size.
ISAA's Mission is to promote size acceptance and help to end size
discrimination through means of advocacy and visible, lawful actions.
Based on the information at its disposal, ISAA is not aware of any
instance where the benefits of WLS outweigh the short and long-term
risks and consequences of such procedures.
ISAA welcomes all people to participate in ISAA's
activities, whether or not they have had WLS or are planning to have WLS.
For clarification, ISAA's policy is against the surgery, not the people
who have the surgery.
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