Weight loss surgery has become popular because of its quick, dramatic results, but is it truly worth the cost? Is there a better option?

Patience is a virtue many of us do not possess. When it comes to weight loss, we like to see immediate results. There is nothing more frustrating than faithfully following a diet when the extra weight refuses to budge. Losing weight can be such a slow and agitating process that it's understandable why people have turned to more drastic options such as weight loss surgery.

Today, over 58 million American's are obese. Although this is a stunning statistic, it's not so surprising in a country where so much of our lives center on food. How many times have you been out to eat in the last month? How many times have you eaten fast food? If food is fuel for your body, what kind of fuel are you putting into your system, and how can you truly expect it to function properly when you are following an improper diet.

More now than ever, obese individuals are turning to weight loss surgery for a solution. Today, many medical insurance plans actually cover the costs of the surgery, claiming that the benefits outweigh the health risks. Weight loss surgery has become a popular way to rid yourself of unwanted pounds in a quick, effective, and efficient process.

Among the recent weight loss surgeries on the market is the popular gastric bypass surgery. Available to only those individuals deemed morbidly obese, this weight loss surgery reduces the stomach in size. Patients emerge from the surgery, no longer able to eat really large meals. Their appetites have shrunk, and they begin feeling full after very small portioned meals.

The eye-catching feature of this weight loss surgery is the fact that patients lose an average of 2/3 of their excess weight within the first two years following the surgery. Patients who have this weight loss surgery literally shed their extra weight quickly with dramatic results. Friends and family usually lavish them with praise about how great they look.

What you might not know, however, is the dangers connected with this weight loss surgery. 10-20 percent of post op patients require follow up operations to correct resulting problems. About a third of the patients of this weight loss surgery develop gallstones. About 30 percent of people having the surgery later develop vitamin deficiency because they do not take the proper supplements. There are also other issues that have frequently occurred in patients that your physician may not be telling you about.

Dumping syndrome is a huge risk connected with this weight loss surgery. This occurs when food is broken down too rapidly when moving to the small intestine. If a patient who has this weight loss surgery overeats, he or she may vomit, feel nausea, or have diarrhea.

If those aren't enough reasons to be skeptical about weight loss surgery, there is the last and most important reason; recent studies have shown that one in fifty patients die from the surgery.

For those people struggling with their weight, weight loss surgery may seem like an answer that's more like a dream come true. It's not only a solution to their problems. It's a quick one with dramatic, immediate results. It's important, however, to realize that weight loss surgery should be a last result.

If you have a problem with overeating due to hunger or cravings, you may feel you've tried everything, but there could be hope yet. If you haven't heard the buzz about Hoodia Gordonii, you really should give it a try. No, this isn't another fad diet pill. In fact, it's not even a drug. Hoodia would fall under the classification of vegetable since it's from a cactus like plant. Although it just appeared on the market in 2004, bushmen in Africa have been consuming this plant for years to ward off hunger during long journeys. Imagine being able to lose weight while never being hungry. Ask yourself, 'Have I really tried everything'? Wouldn't it be worth a try before signing on for something as drastic and potentially dangerous as weight loss surgery?