Weight
Loss Surgery
is a surgical operation that is done on the stomach and intestines to
result to weight loss. The procedure is also known as
bariatric surgery. Surgery
manipulates the digestive system to assist the
patient to
restrict food intake, reduce appetite, slow down digestion and reduce
calorie absorption.
The
procedures vary but are in two main types of weight
loss surgery - restrictive and malabsorptive. In the
restrictive for the stomach is either by cutting it or by constricting
it to reduce into small size. This automatically reduces the amount of
food you can eat.
In
malabsorptive the intestines are cut and re-arranged. This allow food
to bypass a whole section of intestines where calories should have been
absorbed such surgical intervention are called gastric bypass.
Bariatric
surgery is becoming necessitated by the extent of obesity
that some individuals suffer.
Weight Loss Surgery Pictures:
Obesity
is defined as a multi-factorial disease by the World Health
Organization.
It
is found to be more common in women but increases with
age in all sexes.
In
the US alone obesity is prevalent in 30% of the
population.
Two
thirds of the population is overweight.
The
United
Kingdom and other modern societies like Japan also have high
occurrences of obesity and overweight.
Many
with extreme obesity are turning to the weight loss surgery as
conventional weight loss
programs of diets and exercise prove to be
ineffective.
But
even more pressing are the comorbid factors that accompany excess
body fat.
In
many cases of obesity there are other diseases and even life
threatening conditions that develop.
They
include Cardio Vascular
Disease, Diabetes Type II, Hypertension, Sleep Apnea, Liver disease,
gall bladder disease among others
Speedy Results of Weight Loss Surgery
To deal with these conditions, weight
loss
becomes of immediate
concern. And even if the conventional means were effective they take a
long time to have results. Bariatric surgery on the other hand can drop
5% of the body weight in 2-3months.As such it is becoming an attractive
alternative for patients with accompanying obesity related
factors.
Weight loss surgery
is recommended specially for individuals with very high
BMS of 40 and above. This is equivalent to about 100pounds (50Kgs)
above healthy weight. Lower BMS of 35-40 and times lower may be
considered if the patient has any of the comorbid factors.
The
patient should have shown failure of diets and exercises within the
last year. It is always prudent to first try dieting and exercising as
a means to lose weight before settling for surgery.
The problem is that many weight loss
programs do it wrong.
When you determine that surgery is the best option then you need to be
informed; in an unbiased
way to help you make a prudent decision.
The
patient should also be between the ages of 18yrs and 55yrs.This is the
recommended age group. Though there are doctors specializing with ages
outside this range. For the younger age it is anticipated they could
learn to lose weight with age while the older age have increased biariatric surgery
risks.
The
patient should also have a history of obesity. If the weight was just
gained in the last few years e.g. after child birth, there are very
high chances that conventional methods of weight loss can be fine tuned
to result to weight loss.
The
patient should also have comprehensive understanding of the risks and
benefits of weight loss surgery. And though minimal there exists risk
of death when you undergo the procedure.
Finally
the concerned doctors should be confident that the patient has only
acceptable risks of the operation
There are cases where inspite of fulfilling most of these pre-operative
conditions, your doctor may still choose not to operate. This can
happen because of the following
-You have glandular disease like hypothyroidism. In such a case the
condition has to be treated first
-You have gastro-intestinal inflammations like ulcers, esophygitis or
crohns disease. This condition easily become aggravated with weight
loss surgery
-You have a severe cardio respiratory disease
-You are allergic to material used in the process e.g. the gastric
banding used in lap
band weight loss surgery or even weight loss staples
-You have a history of reacting to implants in your body
-You are dependent on alcohol or drugs
- The individual is retarded or emotionally unstable
Weight
loss surgeries end up having dramatic and drastic results. It is common
to loss 40-60 % of your body weight in 2 years. This can give a
deserving patient a whole new lease of life.
And though it does have impressive results, the patient will have to
deal with the after weight loss
surgery life.
This
involves lifetime change, such as life-long strict diet and regular
exercises. Infact many find that they do not go back to the same old
lifestyle.
In addition there will be often a need for plastic surgery to deal with
excess skins that result from huge amounts of weight loss. And though
“loose or hanging skin" can have some emotional toll, it is
never a health danger as comorbid factors of obesity.
Weight
loss surgery has impressive results but it should be used as the very
last result. But even more importantly you should be well
informed.
However, make sure you have exhausted all other effective avenues first.
One such effective program targets belly fat. If you want to lose fat and get a flat stomach or even a six pack, you need to Go Beyond Calories. You need to go beyond regular weight loss strategies. To do this you need two things, just two things. These two are...
This
content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new information on weight loss becomes
available. The information is intended for
educational purposes only. Please
consult your healthcare provider before beginning
any kind of weight loss program
