Excessive weight, or obesity, is associated with several health problems. Obesity also impairs the body’s ability to function optimally. People who are obese are more likely to develop health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, and some types of cancer than those who maintain a healthy weight.
There are, of course, measures one can take to lose one’s weight. If a person with extreme obesity is motivated to lose weight, weight loss surgery or bariatric surgery is now the best option available.
All procedures have some degree of danger, but weight loss surgery is among the safest options for those seeking to lose weight. Here are some things to think about before deciding on weight loss surgery.
Type of weight loss procedure
Adult obesity rates in the United States are 41.9%. Roughly half (49.9%) of adult Blacks were overweight or obese. Among adult Hispanics, 45.6% were overweight or obese. A total of 41.4% of white adults were overweight or obese. Currently, three primary weight loss (or bariatric) procedures are being carried out across the United States. These procedures are the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, the adjustable gastric band, and the sleeve gastrectomy.
Recent health surveys by the NHS have shown that almost two-thirds of the UK population aged 16 and up are overweight or obese. Adult obesity rates are at two-thirds of the population. Men in the UK have a greater obesity rate than women. When compared to women, 68% of males are overweight or obese.
Meanwhile, around 14 million Australians, or 2 in 3 adults and 1 in 4 children, are overweight or obese. As a result, many Australians are making their way to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth weightloss surgery clinics because they are the only ones that provide the most sophisticated surgical procedures, such as the following:
Gastric bypass
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery involves three stages. The surgeon will create a tiny pouch in your upper stomach by using staples. Because your stomach is already smaller from the staples, you’ll feel full faster and consume less.
The surgeon next creates a tiny pouch in the lower abdomen and attaches the lower portion of the small intestine to it. Since food will skip most of your stomach and the first few inches of your small intestine, your body will absorb fewer calories.
Then, the surgeon attaches the small intestine’s top portion to a different point on the intestine’s lower portion. Through this, the stomach’s digestive juices can move freely from the upper to the lower small intestine, facilitating more thorough digestion of the food.
Gastric banding
The procedure of gastric banding, in which a surgeon wraps an adjustable silicone band around the upper stomach, has been practised for over a decade in the US. Gastric banding is the only flexible option among the three treatments. The amount of food a person’s stomach can hold can be adjusted in a single office visit by loosening or tightening the band.
After the procedure, you’ll need to come in for a few checkups so the band can be tightened or loosened to achieve the desired results. The surgeon may decide to remove the band if there are complications or if weight loss is unsatisfactory.
Sleeve gastrectomy
The sleeve gastrectomy, which the FDA has only approved for the past several years, entails cutting off about 80% to 85% of the stomach and then resealing it with staples. You can only eat a certain amount of food while undergoing this restrictive process.
Qualification criteria
Although weight loss surgery is quite effective, it is not the recommended treatment for everyone. No matter what procedure is used, the stomach and digestive system are altered to restrict food intake and nutrient absorption after surgery for obesity.
If you’re considering having surgery to help you lose weight, you’ll first consult with a team of experts to ensure it’s safe and effective for you. If you’re considering having weight loss surgery overseas, weight loss surgery centres could be your best option. Helping you control your weight and all its associated health issues is their top priority. They do this by getting to know you on a personal level, including your body, lifestyle, and goals.
Your doctor will help you determine if you’re eligible for surgery by getting to know you on a personal level, including your body, lifestyle, and goals. More than these, here are the criteria you have to look into before deciding on the surgery.
- Excessive obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above or 100 pounds or more overweight
- One or more of the following obesity-related comorbidities: high body mass index (BMI), high blood pressure (BP), fatty liver disease (NAFLD), sleep apnea, or diabetes type 2
- Inability to lose weight effectively
- There are no preexisting conditions that could pose a threat to the patient before or after surgery.
- Preparedness on a psychological level because depression following surgery is a severe risk.
- The drive to succeed in losing weight after surgery
Mental health preparation
Going under the knife is a major life transformation. As soon as you enter the operating room, you put your faith and life in the surgeon’s hands. Professionals agree that a patient undergoing bariatric surgery needs to be emotionally and psychologically ready for the radical changes that will occur to their body.
Although weight reduction surgery has an estimated 80% success rate, maintaining weight loss needs dedication and hard work. Your efforts will be more successful if you channel positive emotions into them.
For this journey, it will be helpful to have companions. According to the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), attending a support group might help patients feel more comfortable with their decision to embark on a weight loss journey. Surrounding yourself with positive, encouraging people who want the best for you is essential.
In addition, consult a therapist both before and after the operation. Some patients reported feeling down before and after surgery, possibly for different reasons. Additionally, it is often good to work with a mental health professional to figure out the role of food in your life and to create healthier alternatives.
Final thoughts
How much weight a person loses after having weight-loss surgery varies from patient to patient and procedure to procedure. Over time, most patients put on a little bit of weight, but it was usually less than they had lost. You might lose weight differently. Remember that surgery is only part of the equation; maintaining a healthy lifestyle is also essential if you want to accomplish your goal.
Zuella Montemayor did her degree in psychology at the University of Toronto. She is interested in mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
