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Questions to Ask When Considering Weight Loss Surgery Print E-mail
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Health News - Nutrition & Diet
Wednesday, 19 November 2008

The concept of having a surgery to help decrease weight holds many appeal for people suffering from fatness. And surgery has frequently worked out where other conservative techniques of weight loss like exercise and diets have failed.

But fatness surgery by itself is not a magic wand. It can be considered a very effective item for you to lose weight. It is very weighty to have full knowledge of and realistic expectations from bariatric surgery. Hence, we have compiled a list of questions that you can ask your doctor or health professional before deciding on weight loss surgery:

Why should I go for weight loss surgery?
No doctor will typically suggest weight loss surgery as the first option. If he or she does, then it should ring alarm bells. If you have a BMI more than or equal to 35 with obesity-related conditions, you can be a candidate for weight loss surgery.

Can bariatric surgery be performed in a minimally invasive way?
Yes, minimally invasive weight loss surgery is possible. And it carries many benefits to the patient like less pain, speedier recovery, etc. But be it open or laparoscopic surgery, certain risks stay. Also, some patients, like morbidly obese patients, may not be considered eligible candidates for laparoscopic surgery.

What are the risks involved?
Be it lap band, gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, or duodenal switch surgery, they all come with risks and possible difficulties. A clear understanding is a must before deciding on surgery.

How speedily will I lose weight and will I put the weight back on again?
Patients lose weight speedily up to 2 years after surgery. But if you eat deep-fried or high-calorie foods or eat more than you are supposed to, the weight can return.

I have some health conditions related to my fatness. Will surgery still be an option for me?
You will be subjected to a detailed heart and lung evaluation before this question can be answered. Patients with obesity-related health conditions are advised to in fact lose some weight before surgery.

Which weight loss surgery is best for me?
The lap band surgery is considered the safest among weight loss procedures, but it needs for a high level of patient motivation and compliance for success. The Roux-en-Y surgery is most most often performed and is advised for patients with a BMI of 35-55. The duodenal switch procedure has many possible difficulties but has long-term weight loss benefits. Ultimately, it’s up to you to choose the weight loss procedure that best suits you.

Will I have to change my lifestyle after the surgery?
Yes, drastically. As we said before in the article, weight loss surgery cannot work miracles for you if you don’t co-operate. Throughout your life after bariatric surgery, you will need to pay many attention to what you eat and take nutritional supplements.

Will my mental state be checked preceding to surgery?
Yes. You will be put through a psychological screening to see if you suffer from depression or other emotional conditions. If yes, you will need to address those problems before undergoing surgery.

How long will I be in surgery?
1-3 hours or 4-6 hours, if additional procedures are done.

How long will I have to stay in the hospital?
3 days, if everything works out generally. But, if difficulties develop, hospital stay can be a month or more.

What am I supposed to eat after the operation?
Liquid food is recommended for 2 weeks. You can then slowly graduate to regular food in the succeeding 3 months. A healthful diet has to be followed according to the instructions of your nutritionist.

What is the recuperation period for weight loss surgery?
It could be 3 days or 6 weeks, depending on how active you were before surgery and what type of procedure you had. You can securely assume that you will need about 2-4 weeks off from work. Those who undergo lap band surgery get back to work within a week.

Do my family and friends also need to understand this surgery?
It’s great if they make an effort to understand the procedure as they can help you with the follow-up program.

How much will weight loss surgery cost me?
The cost of weight loss surgery can range from $17,000 - $25,000, depending on several factors.

What if I don't have health insurance or if my health plan does not cover bariatric surgery?
Not to worry. You can always try weight loss surgery abroad. Patients with fatness problems are increasingly taking the medical tourism route if they are unable to afford the procedure in the US, UK, Canada, etc. Popular destinations for weight loss surgery are Mexico, India, and Belgium, to name a few.

What support will be available to help me cope after the operation?
This is a very weighty question as the success of fatness surgery depends on how well you are able to follow the diet and exercise plans. If you are getting your surgery done abroad, make sure you find support groups back home.

Is fatness surgery safe for children?
Surgery is not mostly recommended for children who have not been through puberty. But pubescent children may be considered for weight loss surgery, if they are facing serious health risks thanks to their weight.

Will I still be able to get pregnant?
Pregnancy is not advised at least for a year after the operation.

How do I handle extra skin and stretch marks?
Many patients undergo plastic surgery to resolve the difficulty of extra skin and stretch marks. But, this is best done after you have reached your ideal body weight.

Is weight loss surgery reversible?
The lap band procedure is reversible, whereas stomach stapling is not. Gastric bypass procedures are mostly reversible, but do consult your doctor on this.

Can I get the body of a supermodel after fatness surgery?
Bariatric surgery mostly aims to lower the instant health risks related to fatness. You may not achieve a BMI of 18.5 to 25 – considered to be the healthful range - but you can come close, provided you comply completely.

And here are a few questions you can ask your bariatric surgeon to help you trust him/her better:
How many weight loss surgeries have you performed and what has been the success rate?
Can I talk to your patients who will share their weight loss surgery experiences, both positive and negative?

We hope this comprehensive list of FAQs for weight loss surgery will help you arrive at an informed decision. Losing weight through fatness surgery is not simple, but can be accomplished, if you desire to.


 
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