If you’ve struggled with your weight and you’re now looking for a long-term solution, then you may have considered weight loss surgery. But this is a big step and you’ll have lots of questions and research the options to ensure that this the right choice for you.
In this guide, we’re going to answer some of the most common questions that people have before deciding if this is the right choice for them
It’s important to thoroughly understand what’s involved in weight loss surgery. Experienced professionals should always be consulted first to help understand the procedure better.
Researchers estimate that about value of $30 to $40 billion dollars’ worth of weight-related problems are seen globally every year, including illnesses like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, not to mention low self-esteem and loss of confidence due to obesity. Obesity is also known as a risk factor for many cancers.
Obesity can cause various diseases which might affect your health badly so consider other alternatives or choices before opting for this scientific process.
When people think of weight loss surgery they often imagine a knife being used on them in some way or another – and while surgery is one option, it’s not the only way to go.
Weight-loss surgery isn’t something you should consider without doing your homework. There are risks and surgery isn’t always successful in the long term. But for some people who have serious weight problems, surgery can be a solution that could dramatically improve their health and help them lead healthier lives. Before deciding whether weight loss surgery is right for you, talk to your doctor about all of your options – including non-surgical weight loss programs – so you can make an informed choice before starting on this path of treatment procedures.
Since obesity is very common nowadays especially with our lifestyle being more sedentary than before, most people are leaning towards this surgical procedure as their last hope of achieving the body of their dreams.
“Most patients are obese or have severe obesity,” says Ashish Desai, MD, who specializes in gastrointestinal surgery at one of the top-ranked hospitals in New York City. “They’re generally between 60% and 100% over their ideal body weight.” He estimates that more than 5% of his bariatric surgeries are performed on people with BMIs less than 35.
But unlike gastric bypass procedures, which are usually performed using minimally invasive techniques (laparoscopy), these surgeries are open procedures requiring general anesthesia. This means you stay overnight at the hospital after your operation. There is also a higher risk for complications associated with open surgery versus laparoscopic surgery that requires smaller incisions.
Though weight loss surgeries are only performed on people with BMI of more than 40 or those who have a BMI of 35 or higher and have one or more related risk factors, it is still advisable to consult your doctor first before making the big decision. It would be best to include you whole family as well so any risks can be discussed thoroughly. There are also psychological issues that should likewise be addressed before you proceed with the surgical process for weight loss.
The good thing about this type of surgery is once you recover, you’ll barely notice being cut open since most of these procedures are done laparoscopically– meaning through tiny incisions using a fiber-thin camera tube (laparoscope) attached to tools used for cutting and stapling.
Many people now go for this kind of procedure because it is now much more acceptable in the society and there is a strong awareness of the impact that obesity can have on our overall health.
There are many types of weight loss surgeries that can be performed. Some of the most common surgeries include gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy and adjustable gastric band.
Gastric Bypass: This procedure divides the stomach into a small upper pouch and larger lower “remnant” pouch. A piece of intestine is then attached to create a new digestive system with an effective calorie intake limit of roughly 800 calories per day (for most people). Once this is done, food passes through the small intestine more quickly than it would with a normal digestive system, which helps to prevent blood sugar levels from spiking.
Sleeve Gastrectomy: This procedure also reduces your stomach pouch size, but does so by cutting off and removing most of the stomach. The idea behind this surgery is that even after weight loss, you will still feel full at smaller amounts of food than you used to due to having less stomach space.
Adjustable gastric band or lap-band. This surgery wraps around your stomach like a corset and uses a saline filled pocket placed just below the skin as internal restrictors for food intake.
As they fill with fluid, they tighten your pouch so you can’t eat as much food. The band is adjustable, so if you feel like you aren’t eating enough or are losing weight too quickly, it can be loosened.
Your doctor should be able to suggest which procedure is best for your body type and needs. There are risks associated with any surgery, however these types of surgeries have low risk when performed by a qualified medical professional. However, doctors caution that patients must commit to long-term follow-up care after undergoing a weight loss surgery procedure because obesity itself carries health risks even if weight is lost.
Everyone’s medical needs are different, so this is where the experience of the medical team comes in to provide you with individualize advice.
Another important factor in weight loss surgery is getting the proper support after the procedure. Patients must maintain a healthy lifestyle to keep off the pounds they have lost. According to studies, patients who continue to exercise and watch their diets will lose more weight than those that don’t.
Experts also warn that it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle even after surgery in order to keep the weight off .