Are you considering weight loss surgery? It can be a valuable tool for people who want to lose large amounts of weight and improve their health and well-being.
Around 200,000 to 300,00 people each year in the US choose to undergo weight loss surgery to help them achieve their goal weight and improve their health.
However, undergoing surgery of this kind isn't always an easy choice, and there are many things to consider before going under the knife in cases of weight loss. These include the type of surgery you will have, the process involved and recovery.
Types of Weight Loss Surgery
Suppose you're considering weight loss surgery, such as the procedures performed at LoneStar Bariatrics. In that case, it's important to know the different types of surgery available, what they offer regarding weight loss, and what the procedure involves. Below are three of the more common types of weight loss surgery people opt for.
Gastric Sleeve
A gastric sleeve is a minimally invasive procedure that involves inserting a medical device into your stomach. The device cuts into the abdominal walls, removing three-quarters of your stomach, leaving only a small portion behind, to reduce the amount of food you can eat.
Duodenal Switch
This type of surgery is similar to a gastric sleeve, except it bypasses part of the small intestine to help you feel full and limit overeating.
Gastric Bypass
Gastric bypass is a more aggressive weight loss surgery that involves creating a small pouch on the stomach that processes food and then bypasses the small intestine.
What You Need To Know About Weight Loss Surgery
Not everyone is a candidate for weight loss surgery. Typically, it is completed on patients with a BMI of 40 or above to help them improve their health and eliminate fat from their bodies caused by their eating habits. Patients with health conditions and a BMI over 35 will often be considered for this type of action, too, i.e., if they have sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, or heart disease.
Weight loss surgery is a complex medical procedure requiring a short hospital stay while your surgeon performs the type of surgery right for you. After assessing your suitability, your surgeon will discuss the type of surgery to ensure you understand what will happen to you post-surgery. For the best chances of success, it can be helpful to address your eating habits and why you overeat so that you don't revert to your habits in the future.
Immediately after the surgery, you will require a few days of rest to allow your body to recover. Then, you will be on a liquid diet for around two to four weeks. This is followed by two to four weeks of semi-solid foods and then transitioning to solid foods.
Weight loss surgery can be an effective tool in your journey, and preparing yourself for the realities of having your eating restricted and committing to a lifestyle change will give you the best chance of success and recovery post-treatment.
Suppose you need to lose weight and are considering weight loss surgery. In that case, it's important to talk to experts in weight loss, like LoneStar Bariatrics, to help you understand how this type of surgery will impact your life and the results you can expect to gain. From here, you can make a more informed decision about the right type of weight loss surgery for you and know exactly what it entails.
