Chris Christie calls gastric bypass surgery "too risky:" What are the risks?

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks to guests at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center on June 8, 2012 in Rosemont, Illinois.

/ Scott Olson/Getty Images

(CBS News) New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said in an interview Tuesday that he has struggled with his weight for 30 years but won't consider gastric bypass surgery.

"Some people, you know, drink too much. Some people take drugs, some people eat too much," Christie told ABC News' "Nightline" on Tuesday. "You can live everyday without drinking, you can live everyday without taking drugs - you can't live everyday without eating, and I've struggled with it for the last 30 years on and off. And I'm trying, it may not look like I'm trying sometimes, but I am."

When asked if he'd consider gastric bypass surgery, he said it's never crossed his mind, adding it was "too risky."

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Just what exactly happens during gastric bypass surgery? There are two types of the procedure, which is sometimes referred to as "stomach stapling." The most common form in the U.S. is called a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, a procedure in which doctors create a small pouch by stapling a portion of the stomach together to limit how much food a person can eat, WebMD reported. Next, a Y-shaped section of the small intestine is attached to the pouch to allow food to bypass certain portions of the digestive system, causing reduced calorie - and nutrient - intake.

The less-common type, called biliopancreatic diversion, is more complex and requires a total removal of the lower portion of the stomach to create a remaining small pouch, that is then connected to the final segment of the small intestine. WebMD reports the procedure is not as widely used because of high risk for nutritional deficiencies.

With both types of gastric bypass surgery, patients can expect to lose two-thirds of their excess pounds within two years. The surgery is not recommended for all obese and overweight patients. Doctors typically try diet, exercise and other weight loss methods first.

The procedure does carry risks, as Christie alluded to, just like any major surgery.

According to the Mayo Clinic, short-term risks for people who get the surgery include excessive bleeding, infection, adverse reactions from anesthesia, blood clots, breathing problems, leaks in the GI tract, or in rare cases death. Long-term risks include bowel obstruction, gallstones, hernia, ulcers, stomach perforation or a condition called gastric dumping syndrome, in which undigested contents in the stomach move too rapidly to the small intestine and cause diarrhea and vomiting. Patients are urged to maintain follow-up appointments with doctors following surgery, and should see a doctor immediately if they've developed complications or haven't lost weight.

Doctors have also increasingly noticed another potential long-term risk from the surgery: alcoholism. HealthPop reported in June on a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association that found within two years of surgery, 11 percent of gastric bypass patients had drinking problems. By comparison, only 5 percent of patients who had a different type of procedure - called stomach-banding - drank excessively following surgery. The study authors say the findings, which echo other recent studies, may be a result of patients becoming more sensitive to absorbing alcohol following the procedure, or because they go from being socially isolated while overweight to having a more active, alcohol-filled social life.

Despite the risks, the procedure may successfully provide long-term weight loss. It may also treat or cure obesity-related conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and Type 2 diabetes, according to the Mayo Clinic.

A study in March 2012 found diabetic patients who underwent the surgery were able to stop taking insulin as soon as three days after the surgery, or went into complete disease remission for at least two years.

To watch an animation of how a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is performed, check out this animation from Weill Cornell Medical College.

I had my RNY gastric bypass in August. I have already lost 60 pounds. When I went into surgery, I had diabetes (previously unknown) high blood pressure and a hiatal hernia. I can out with none of these issues. This surgery saved my life. The weight loss is gravy. I healed so quickly! Dr. Oz said on his show that a person approaching the age of 50 with a BMI above 35 is facing the same health risk of someone with a solid cancer. Those are strong words, but the truth is the truth. Man up, Gov. It's your life you will be saving and maybe you could be an inspiration to others, not a nay-sayer scaring people unnecessarily.

[clk-4]

I had a Proximal Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass in 2010. I spent 2 years researching the various types of surgeries before I went ahead with it. I would make the same decision today. The surgery is no more risky than gall bladder surgery but you do not consider that "risky". Stop trying to scare people out of a truly great surgery that has helped thousands of obese patients.
I am healthy, have fantastic bloodwork, have lost a large percentage of my excess weight, and am enjoying life. I know hundreds of other RNY patients and they also are happy with the surgery and have not suffered any of the things mentioned.
Gov Christie should research the surgery and maybe he could become healthy and a reasonable weight.
RNY was the best decision I ever made.

[amsc78109RNY]

Dude you are frickin clueless!!!!!! You think that gastric bypass surgery is more risky than living your life being fat???? The complications from having surgery are minimal. There is just as much risk having a damn tooth pulled as to gastric bypass. Everything in life has RISK, ESPECIALLY BEING FAT!!! Maybe you need to see a bariatric surgeon and get the real scoop and get a clue! Where you got all your information from is beyond me, but you are VERY MISINFORMED! Gastric bypass surgery saved my life. It wasnt because I wanted to be fat and ate everything in site, it is a disease and sometimes it is beyond our control!

[FormerUSMCSergeant]

Chris Christie calls gastric bypass surgery "too risky:"
---

Like carrying around 150 pounds of lard as he does all the time isn't.

Sheesh.

[hypnotoad72]

I'm sure Ben Franklin would have said the same thing...

[112844]

I am not a fan of Republicans. I am an independant. But,Christie has caught my attention. I to am over weight. I have constantly gained weight for several years. I ate very lttle, excersized regularly and worked hard. Still I did not lose any weight. After checking out other health problems, I had my doctor check my vitamin D level. I was one point away from critical. I have been on a heavy dosage of Vitian D for six months now. I feel better and I am doing much better. I have also lost 15 pounds without even trying. He should have his level checked. I have told several people about this and they are all on vitamin D with advise from thier doctor. They are also losing weight.

[hypnotoad72]

Be careful - there is such as thing as "Vitamin D toxicity". Do you value your kidneys?

Then again, when the tv advert said "our product has valuable protein" they clearly don't... for the same reason...

[technocoffee]

It doesn't work for those who can't stop overeating. Look at Carnie Wilson & Roseann Barr. They lots half their body weight at first..but slowly they figured they could eat smaller amounts more often & most of the weight came right back. I have read many stories about gastric patients who do lose the weight, control the portions & calories--but then become addicted to drugs, alcohol, shopping or gambling. Unless the addictive behavior is addressed, even this surgery is not full-proof

[gnimelf1968]

True, just trading one addiction for another. I quit smoking and ended up gaining weight.

[KPeters_from_UK]

I wonder how his life choice is affecting the cost of health insurance?

[hypnotoad72]

He's exempt. After all, he's a politician. Bought and paid for. Given a free ride by taxpayers while he gives corporations subsidy and bailouts, preferably when they offshore jobs. And then they turn to us and say how great the 'free market' is...

[gnimelf1968]

Really? You're worried how overweight or obese people are affecting healthcare but let's not worry about all the illegals or people who refuse to work but run to the emergency room every time they get a scratch? Oh, sorry, you're not from here are you so I don't know how you can even comment about this. Everything is just hunkydory over there in Britain isn't it.

[raymailhot]

Some people eat and get fat, why can't we live with life?

Everything is not a disease.

[gnimelf1968]

If alcoholism is a disease then obesity is a disease.