Living in a culture that worships fat and sugary food, while promoting youth and slender figures, is inherently difficult to deal with for those who struggle with their weight. Temptation is everywhere and for those who have tried in vain and face serious health risks the last hope may be weight loss surgery.
Am I a candidate for weight loss surgery?
To be a candidate for weight loss bariatric surgery the patient must be profoundly overweight, at-risk of obesity related disease, and emotionally stable. If you suffer from severe obesity, have tried years of failed dieting and your weight is now affecting your health it is time to seek professional advice. Weight loss surgery is a life changing procedure, which requires patients to commit to a lifelong regimen.
The gastric bypass procedure is the best known of the three common bariatric surgeries. Lap-band and the gastric sleeve resection surgeries, as well, are common.
Gastric Bypass Surgery
The stomach’s smaller upper part is the focus of gastric bypass surgery. The surgeon staples off the top part of the stomach and then connects the small intestine to the “new and smaller” stomach. Simply stated, less stomach means fewer calories taken in and decreased stomach capacity means a reduction in hunger, which all aids weight loss. This procedure is difficult to reverse, so the patient must be willing to invest in the treatment, as it may require a lifelong change.
Gastric Band Surgery
With the gastric band procedure the stomach is separated into parts with a surgical silicone band. Food enters the new upper stomach creating a strong sense of “fullness” before moving to the lower stomach. From there it enters the intestines normally. This feeling of fullness means the patient will need only a small amount of food to feel content and will therefore not gain weight from binge eating.
This treatment is reversible, but may not be as quick or effective as gastric bypass surgery.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Laparoscopy is used in the gastric sleeve resection procedure. The surgeon removes the lateral two-thirds of the stomach through a small incision. The stomach, reduced to one-third, absorbs much less and fullness comes after a few ounces of food intake. This is a relatively new procedure and is permanent, so a lifelong commitment must be made.
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes include the amount of food that can be eaten and proper nutrition is much more important. Recovery can be problematic. The significant weight loss involved may require plastic surgery to remove excess skin. With the body’s changes, gastric complications are common and may require medical treatment.
A consultation is the first step. The options for treatment, and its efficacy must be fully understood by the patient. Weight loss surgeons can fully explain the choices available. The inability to maintain healthy weight is a primary consideration. Other outstanding medical issues must be screened, and the patient must be apprised of all the lifestyle changes that must be undertaken. Weight loss surgery isn’t magic, but it can produce dramatic results nonetheless.
Becky Mackay is an online writer, with a keen interest in health and lifestyle. For more top tips visit her Twitter page @FreshHealth11
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