Bariatric Surgery
We live in a nip and tuck society. Is bariatric surgery right for you?
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BACKGROUND
Over the course of the past decade, bariatric surgery has grown in popularity and recently become fairly common as a final attempt for weight loss when all other options have been exhausted.
Bariatric surgery candidates must be diagnosed morbidly obese by their physician, weighing 100 pounds or more over their recommended weight. Obesity is a life-threatening disease that can be a catalyst for heart disease, cancer and diabetes, among others. For individuals who have worked closely with their doctor with varied prescribed diets and plans, bariatric surgery can often be the answer they need to save their lives.
There are two different surgical procedures: restriction and gastric bypass.
Restriction includes vertical-banded gastroplasty and gastric banding. During this procedure, a small pocket for food is built near the top of the stomach, where food first comes in from the esophagus. This restricts the amount of food the patient may consume.
When created, the pocket has a one-ounce capacity. Over time, this will grow to hold up to three ounces. Food is held in the pocket for an extended period of time because of a one-quarter inch outlet at the bottom. This creates a feeling of fullness and helps the patient avoid overeating.
Gastric bypass also builds a small pocket in the stomach to dramatically reduce consumption. But, it also builds bypasses within the small intestine to cause malabsorption, resulting in weight loss.
The first two years following bariatric surgery, a patient will experience accelerated weight loss and see an improvement in health when life-threatening illnesses start to go away.
Bariatric surgery is a major surgery, so there are risks involved. Some symptoms experienced following the procedure include nausea, weakness, diarrhea, sweating and faintness. More serious problems include additional surgery to fix complications, gallstones, anemia and osteoporosis due to nutrition deficiency.
At this time, long-term results of the bariatric surgeries are still unavailable.
FOOD & RECIPE
N/A
EXERCISE
Exercising after surgery will help you feel better, recover faster and minimize the possibility of post-surgical complications.
EXPENSE
Between $20,000 and $50,000, depending if there are any complications with the procedure.
PRO
Most patients look forward to a life at a much more manageable and healthy weight.
CON
Without insurance coverage, it’s expensive. More importantly, there’s a small risk of death and other lesser complications.
CONCLUSION
Bariatric surgery is a major ordeal, and should not be thought of as a simple in-and-out vanity procedure.
common misspellings: Baratrik, Bariatrik, Bariatric Surgry
Wikipedia
Bariatric surgery, also known as weight loss surgery, refers to the various surgical procedures performed to treat obesity by modification of the gastrointestinal tract to reduce nutrient intake and/or absorption. The term does not include procedures for surgical removal of body fat such as liposuction or abdominoplasty.
Ben: Really need to think this one through. Talk about major life change! I'm currently discussing with my doctor as I'm severely overweight and nothing seems to work. I've heard stories of Barriatric patients with a lot of success and I've heard of some with tramatic results.
Kell: I had the surgery done a few years ago. Wow- what a difference it has made. After a long battle to lose the weight, my dr. and I spent a lot of time researching to make sure I was a good candidate. I'm healthier, happier and look better than I have since my teens!! I urge anyone considering to spend time with their dr. and make sure it's the right choice... and make sure you've exhausted your options.
Stuart: Is the restriction talking about the lap band? I've heard a little about that and it sounds promising. Thanks for the general info.
Colleen: I had a gastric bypass in 1993 and had severe complications, but recovered. After 14 yrs, I was back at my original weight! In 2004, I had a revision and now, 2007 I am back to my original weight. I don't know what has happen for me, however, my cousin had the bypass and has lost a dramatic amount of weight, and has kept it off to date. She had her's in 2003. I am seriously seeking a doctor to try to give me the lap band with the hope of losing my weight again but for good. I am now rising up to 260lbs and 5'6" tall. Although, I am amazingly healthy without any health problems, I still need to lose this weight. This surgery works, but not for everyone.
Anonymous: I had gastic lap band sugey in 2005. I have restriction,folloe the rules, and see my surgeon. I have lost 8 pounds. No one knows why. Wish I would have saved my 16k!
SUMMER: MY FRIEND'S DR. SAID HERS WAS LEFT TO LOW AND NEEDS TO BE RAISED FOR WT. LOSS.
Anonymous: I had my surgery Jan. 2007. I have lost 65 pounds and 20 before surgery for a total of 85 pounds. I haven't lost in 5 months..up and down 3 pounds..but I feel great. I think my pouch is larger. I can consume a lot of food. I have always said that from the beginning, but no one is listening.
rose: I had gastric bypass in 2006 it will be two years on the 9th I lost 150 lbs over the last two years It was a very hard two years in and out of the hospital 14 times and they still do not no what went wrong. Please Read everything you can before you go under the knife.Its taken me two years to get my life back.The surgery is NOT for everyone.Im healther now after two years make sure you no the facts. Im not sure if I would ever do this again. Im a special case with lots of problems. I still believe in my heart its becouse I was so sick health wise going in it make it more difficult for me to recover. The dr's tried to tell me it was all in my head but don't believe that to this day. Every case is different.Every Person is different. So Please ask everyone and read everything.I would be happy to tell any one my story of two years of Hell and back
sherry m: The best thing I ever did for my health! If you have struggled your whole life and tried every excercise plan and diet out there get off the wheel there is a cure for obesity if you are willing to change your entire life as you know it after the surgery. I went from a size 28 to a size 4 in under 2 years. I continue to workout 6 days a week for a half hour a day and stay on the maintenance diet the nutrionist gave me. If you truly want to loose weight you need to go to a licesed nutrionist. If you have a medical problem you need to go to a bariatric doctor. These people specialize in it, that is what they do. I highly recommend the best surgeon available in the USA Dr. William O'Malley out of Rochester, NY.
SHERIE: I had my surg. in 1997 I lost 100lbs. I was in and out of the hospital several times-gallbladder surg. dehydration, constant vomiting and feeling so tired. I felt like a failure because I didn't lose more weight and I was vomitting almost everytime i would eat. Drs. couldn't figure out why. I lost several teeth because of this. Three years ago had been vomitting more than usual-one day dark blood came up and I was rushed to hospital. they found i had blocked the opening and had a small bleeding ulcer. After removal, I still was vomiting-more tests--they found out that the opening on my stomach was so narrow-smaller that the diameter of a straw and this is why I was vomiting. Today, I am regaining my weight and more depressed. I am also anemic and have had to have transfusions. WOULD I DO THIS AGAIN--YOU BET BUT --COUNSELING IS A MUST, LIFELONG NUTRIONIST FOLLOWUP, AND EXERCISE A MUST. I am hoping I can find someone to try and revise the original surg. and am hoping to do it right this time
