After Weight Loss Surgery

With obesity affecting more than sixty million American, weight loss surgery is becoming more common place. Although weight loss surgeries are certainly no fix-all or cure-all for obesity, but it can literally be a lifesaving procedure for those who are morbidly obese and who cannot lose weight by any other means. In order to be triumphant in weight loss goals following surgery, however, appropriate after care and lifestyle chances are required, and a lifelong commitment to modifications in behavior and eating is needed. Let’s look at what to expect following surgery.

Recovery

Gastric bypass weight loss surgery is done with a laparoscope, which allows for tiny incisions to be used. This reduces the amount of time that is needed for recovery. Most people who have laparoscopic weight loss surgery remain hospitalized for around three days or so and they are able to resume their traditional daily activities in as little as three weeks, on average. Weight loss surgery that is performed in a traditional manner (without the use of a laparoscope) will necessitate a longer healing and recuperative time frame.

Results

The results achieved with weight loss surgery are nothing short of fantastic. Most people will lose (with gastric bypass) around 60% of their added weight. Gastric banding surgeries have a slightly lower result with around 50% of surplus weight being lost. Most obesity-induced medical conditions are drastically improved following weight loss surgery, including diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, degenerative joint problems, gastric reflux disease, and more.

Problems Following Weight Loss Surgery

As with any type of surgery, weight loss surgery has its fair share of risks and possible complications, too. Although the majority of weight loss surgery patients experience no serious problems, around one in ten do undergo minor complications, and around one in twenty experience potentially life-threatening serious complications.

• Wound infections
• Constipation
• Bleeding in the stool
• Blood clots or pulmonary embolism
• Leakage
• Gall stones
• Dumping syndrome

Lifestyle and Nutrition Changes

Following weight loss surgery, the body’s methods of absorbing food are changed. It is harder for the body to absorb vital nutrients, like calcium, vitamins B12 and D, iron, and others. Many patients experience anemia or low blood count. Taking vitamins and supplements is required, and may be required for life.

The smaller stomach that is created during weight loss surgery requires that the person receiving the surgery eats smaller meals on a frequent basis. They must also make a commitment to nutrition to avoid serious malnutrition. Working with a dietitian can help the recent weight loss surgery patient to create a meal plan that they can stick with.

And last of all, weight loss surgery will help the person to lose the weight that needs to be lost, but it is not a magic cure-all. Exercise is needed in order to maintain the weight loss, and to help tone the body to reduce the need for plastic surgery procedures, like torso lifts and tummy tucks that are used to reduce the excess skin that is left behind following dramatic weight loss. Even with exercise, however, some people may still need to plan for and budget for these cosmetic procedures that are typically not covered by health insurance.

In sum, life after weight loss surgery is definitely an improvement for most people, especially those who are morbidly obese, but it is certainly an uphill struggle that requires commitment and determination.