What You Should Consider Before Getting Weight Loss Surgery
Written by April Kerr on September 6th, 2009Weight loss surgery is a surgical procedure that helps patients to lose weight.
This procedure, performed in an operating room causes the digestive system to be restructured in such a way as to cause weight loss. The size of the stomach is greatly reduced through banding or stapling so that it holds a much smaller volume of food.
Since the stomach's size is smaller the patient feels full after only a few bites of food. Thus, the patient's intake of calories is reduced and he or she loses weight.
Some of the procedures also include restructuring of the large intestine. A section is removed and thus fewer calories are absorbed into the system from the food that is ingested.
This procedure is usually reserved for patients who are morbidly obese. That means that over thirty percent of their body weight is fat. In practical terms, the person must be at least one hundred pounds over their ideal weight.
There are some complications to consider with weight loss surgery. Some of these can be very serious and can cause death. Some possible problems that can be anticipated include blood loss, blood clots and reactions to anesthesia.
Additionally, some patients suffer serious side effects after the surgery. Some patients become malnourished because of the small amount of food that their stomachs hold. All patients should take good multivitamins. Additionally, iron supplements and vitamin B-12 may be necessary for some patients to avoid anemia. Patients who have had the large intestine restructured may have the greatest problems with anemia.
Before the surgery you may need to have some procedures done. An upper GI is often ordered, since it cannot be done after the surgery. You may also be required to have a psychiatric evaluation and clearance from a cardiac specialist.
When large amounts of weight are lost, patients have trouble with hanging skin. This skin sometimes has to be removed by a second surgery. This surgery also has risks associated with it.
The advantages of the surgery are that it allows patients who may have been unable to lose weight and keep it off in the past to do so. In addition, weight related problems may be diminished. Persons suffering from back pain may find relief. Type two diabetics may find that their diabetes becomes diet controlled as they lose weight.
Weight loss surgery is a difficult decision and should not be taken lightly.
April Kerr owns website Greg Walton MD which is all about bariatric weight loss and bariatric vitamins.
Tags: bariatric, calories, fitness, food, Health, Lose Weight, nutrition, patients, surgeon, surgery, Weight Loss
