Weight Loss Surgery a Drastic Decision?
August 19, 2009 by Terry
Filed under Featured, Weight Loss Surgery
Most obese individuals have tried many different weight loss programs. With each of these programs we loose weight only to gain it back. If we are to listen to skinny people that have never had a weight gain problem in their life we are failures. In our hearts we know that just because we are fat does not make us a failure even though others may perceive us that way. Often we find ourselves faced with making the decision to have or not have weight loss surgery. As a gastric bypass surgery patient myself I realize that the decision to have weight loss surgery can be considered a drastic decision and perhaps it is. Each year millions of people try the latest’s diet fad and thousands more of us make that “drastic” decision and opt for weight loss surgery. As drastic as surgery may seem it has given many of us a new lease on life!
Each of us needs to understand that despite the success of weight loss surgery there are not only advantages but also disadvantages to take into consideration. We need to make an informed decisions before jumping into extraordinary weight loss measures.
The most common procedure today are gastric bypass surgery and lap-band surgery where the individual’s stomach capacity is made smaller. Following surgery food intake is drastically lessened and as a result we lose weight due to smaller food intake and the effects are quick.
The benefits can be enormous. Troubles with medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and sleep apnea are reduced and often eliminated. Exhaustion due to high body mass is also lessened. The main benefit would be a more secure sense of well being which could result to greater opportunities for social interaction.
Despite the benefits an individual still has to take into account that because of lower food intake one has to make sure that daily nutritional intake remains balanced. While we find that we are generally taking less medications after surgery we will find ourselves taking more vitamins and nutritional products.
Like any other surgery, sufficient time is also needed for the body to recuperate and to adjust itself to it’s new condition. We eat the wrong foods such as too much sugar or pasta and will many of us will experience what is known as dumping. With dumping we will experience symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. Dumping can be very painful and as such are awareness of it will often help keep us on track and eat the right foods.
Medical tests are required to ascertain if surgery is possible for an individual. Surgery could have serious consequences if sufficient analysis has not been performed. Following my own gastric bypass surgery I had a complete blood work up 6 months and 12 months following the surgery. From these tests your physician is able to determine if you are getting the proper nutrients and if not prescribe what you need. Generally these tests will continue on an annual basis.
Individual lifestyle is also taken into account. If a person has not reacted favorably to weight loss programs the underlying reasons has to be analyzed. The mental health of the individual also needs to be tested. Does the patient have the mental agility and strength to meet worst outcomes?
Even after surgery I find that I often still have the tendency to cheat and eat the wrong foods. This can result in weight regain if it becomes excessive. Having the support of other weight loss surgery patients will help you achieve and maintain your weight loss success.
Even prior to surgery it pays to attend seminars and to talk to other people who have undergone a similar surgery. Many weight loss centers actually ask patients to be involved in a weight loss program prior to becoming eligible for surgery. These are meant to allow you to be more at ease with what is to come.
While surgery provides a quick fix it is best to find out if such is your best option. A thorough and open discussion with your doctor is extremely important when considering weight loss surgery.
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