(Newswire.net — May 27, 2021) —
Severe obesity can have many serious health impacts. An obese person is at a much higher risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, liver disease, depression, anxiety, and certain cancers.
If you are dealing with obesity in your daily life and have been unsuccessful at losing weight on your own, you may be interested in weight loss surgery. Weight loss surgery can be an immense help in resetting your body and mind, bringing you a much healthier attitude toward food and exercise.
Dr. Carlos A. Barba, a weight loss surgery expert, explains how having weight loss surgery can lead to a new and healthier lifestyle.
What is the Process of Receiving Weight Loss Surgery?
When planning for weight loss surgery, you need to keep in mind that it is a major undertaking. You will begin the process by learning all you can about the surgery and how it could impact your life in the short and long term.
A dietitian will help you build healthy food habits to help you in your weight loss journey. You may need to start following a supervised diet program. You will be meeting with your dietitian monthly for three to six months before the surgery.
You will be required to meet with a psychologist or social worker to ensure that you are mentally ready to transform your life through weight loss surgery. If the psychologist says you are not prepared, you may have to wait until you have adjusted your attitude toward yourself and your surgery.
The psychologist or social worker will also make sure that you have a strong support system at home. Without a sound support system, you will likely backslide in your positive habits before or after the surgery.
Next, you will need to go through pre-operative testing. You will be tested by cardiologists, gastrointestinal specialists, and sleep specialists.
Your surgery will last between one and three hours. Your recovery will be assisted in the hospital for two to five days. Weight loss surgery is a major procedure, and you will need time to recover in the hospital.
When you are sent home, you will be placed on a liquid diet for approximately two weeks. It will take time for your stomach to become accustomed to food after your surgery.
Weight Loss Surgery Procedures
There are multiple procedures for weight loss surgery. The most common and gold standard of weight loss surgery is gastric bypass.
In gastric bypass surgery, the surgeon creates a small stomach pouch by dividing the stomach. The top part of the small intestine is detached and connected to the stomach pouch. Having a dramatically smaller stomach means that the patient will consume fewer calories, and weight loss will be much easier.
Rerouting the food stream changes the gut hormones, promoting a feeling of fullness and suppresses hunger.
The adjustable gastric band is a less invasive form of weight loss surgery. The stomach pouch is created by applying a band to the stomach. This surgery reduces hunger and can lead to up to 40 to 50 percent loss in body weight.
There are other forms of weight loss surgery, and your surgeon will specialize in one or more of these procedures.
What Are the Benefits of Weight Loss Surgery?
Weight loss surgery can help you lose a dramatic amount of weight in a relatively short time. It is the quickest way to return your body to full health when it has been negatively impacted by obesity. A physician like Dr. Carlos A. Barba can help you explore all of the benefits of this surgery.
How Weight Loss Surgery Can Transform Your Life
Weight loss surgery can be an important way to change your habits concerning diet and exercise. You will be eating much smaller meals, and you will need to make sure that these meals are low-fat and nutritionally complete. Weight loss surgery can also change your attitude toward exercise since it will make your exercise far more effective than before surgery.
What are the Risks of Weight Loss Surgery?
Weight loss surgery is generally well-tolerated as long as the patients follow all of their surgeon’s recommendations, but there are risks that should be mentioned. Some of the risks include acid reflux, chronic nausea and vomiting, stomach obstruction, infection, and the dilation of the esophagus.
In the long term, poorly managed surgery can lead to dumping syndrome, low blood sugar, malnutrition, and hernias, among other problems.
Following all of your post-operative instructions from your surgeon and your dietitian can cut down on the risk of serious side effects.
Deciding to Have Weight Loss Surgery
When you have decided to take your primary care doctor’s advice and look into weight loss surgery, you should look for a qualified surgeon like Dr. Carlos A. Barba. An expert surgeon will help walk you through the procedure and its benefits and risks, helping you decide whether the surgery is right for you.
When diet and exercise have not been enough to reverse your obesity, weight loss surgery could be a life-saving option. Considering weight loss surgery could be a decision that helps you live longer with a higher quality of life.