Bariatric surgery reduces risk factors associated with life-threatening co-illnesses and can help patients live longer. Patients typically lose 50-80% of their excess weight after bariatric surgery.
Baylor Scott & White Health provides numerous weight loss surgeries. When selecting your surgeon, select one who possesses excellent bedside manner and extensive education and experience in weight loss surgeries such as the LAP-BAND or Realize Band procedure.
Choosing a Surgeon
Selecting a surgeon who specializes in bariatric surgery is an integral step towards weight loss. While general surgeons can perform the operation, specialists in bariatric surgery tend to have more experience and higher success rates; plus they may offer tailored procedures tailored specifically towards meeting your weight loss goals and needs.
Once you’ve decided on surgery, selecting a surgeon that understands your individual needs and concerns can be daunting. Attending a low-pressure seminar or consultation before making your choice will allow you to meet and question them comfortably before making a commitment. Furthermore, online reviews from patients that have undergone similar procedures will provide additional insight.
Bariatric surgeons who are experts can recommend procedures that will help you meet your weight loss goals and enhance the quality of life. They will take into account personal health factors, family history, co-morbidities such as diabetes and hypertension as well as lifestyle considerations when providing recommendations. Furthermore, they may discuss your relationship with food and how making healthy choices that support long-term goals is paramount to their services.
Prior to any procedure, it is necessary to meet with a psychologist who will assess both your mental and emotional well-being. This step ensures that you possess sufficient motivation and understanding necessary for an effective weight loss journey. You should also address any underlying issues which might impede this plan such as depression or emotional eating triggers.
At your initial visit, it will be necessary to discuss which surgical option will be the most beneficial to you. There are various forms of weight-loss surgeries available such as gastric bypass and gastric sleeve that have an average success rate of 60 to 80% excess weight loss; additionally they’re considered safer options with reduced risks associated with complications.
At this meeting, you’ll be asked for information regarding your medical history and current medications. Your physician will then examine you and go over all available procedures; including their risks and benefits.
Preparing for Surgery
Undergoing weight-loss surgery is a serious decision. By changing your eating habits and adopting healthier lifestyle choices, you are opting to improve or even cure chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes. A screening process will determine your eligibility; should this occur there will be steps taken by surgery facilities to prepare themselves.
Bariatric surgery entails altering your digestive system’s anatomy to assist with weight loss, by restricting how much and quickly your body absorbs food. Most procedures use laparoscopic techniques with tiny incisions for quick recovery times. There are three primary forms of bariatric surgery: the sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass and gastric banding procedures; each has their own benefits and risks but all reduce calorie consumption to make you feel full sooner, typically helping people shed 50-80% excess weight from excess weight gain!
Dependent upon the nature of your surgery, you may require regular sessions with a dietician, psychologist and/or support staff in the months prior to having it performed. They’ll help prepare you for all the changes, challenges and rewards ahead. Furthermore, you will be required to sign a consent form acknowledging any rare yet potentially hazardous side effects from this operation.
As part of your preparations for surgery, drinking plenty of water, resting and not smoking will do wonders for your body. Furthermore, it’s smart to start practicing eating in preparation for post-surgery so your body gets used to smaller portions and slower pace of eating – and establish regular exercising as part of the plan as well.
Before your surgery, you will need to meet with a bariatric surgeon in order to set a date and review any medical evaluations or testing required for surgery. Furthermore, arrangements will need to be made with your employer regarding medical leave of absence if necessary. Finally, stock up on supplies such as wet wipes, Vaseline and thermos/water bottles for use during recovery and postoperative.
During Surgery
If you opt for bariatric surgery, the surgery center will typically ask that you arrive two hours prior to your procedure. At that time, you’ll meet with anesthesia providers and ask any questions they might have for you during the surgery; having more knowledge will make you less nervous during it all.
Your doctor will outline the procedure and what you can expect during recovery; this information can help guide your decision about when and if surgery should occur. They’ll also go over risks and benefits of each option available to you – including how much weight can be expected to be shed as a result of having it done.
Your surgeon will provide guidance about what and when you can eat before and during surgery and recovery period, including discussing any over-the-counter and herbal medications you’re currently taking (this could include over-the-counter and herbal products that should be stopped prior to surgery), while encouraging exercise as soon as possible after surgery to help circulation blood and avoid blood clots; in some cases a physical therapist might need to see you before commencing this practice.
On the day of surgery, having someone there as your support can be essential. They can drive you directly to and from the center as well as be by your side afterward; many medications used during and post-op may interfere with memory affecting medications; having someone close by ensures you arrive home safely.
If you are having surgery under general anesthesia, a nurse will place an intravenous catheter in your arm and give medications to prepare you. When it’s time for surgery, you will be taken to the operating room where monitors will keep track of your heart rate and blood pressure; additional sedation medication will likely also be administered as necessary during this process.
Post Surgery
Bariatric surgery offers permanent changes to both eating habits and lifestyle. As the only long-term treatment solution proven successful for class III obesity, bariatric surgery significantly lowers your risk of serious health problems such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure while simultaneously lengthening life expectancy.
There are various kinds of bariatric surgeries, each designed to alter your digestive system and limit food intake. Some make your stomach smaller by decreasing how many calories it absorbs; others reduce hunger signals from gut to brain.
Most bariatric surgeries are done laparoscopically, with smaller incisions that result in less pain and recovery time than open surgery. However, certain procedures require larger incisions that may take longer for recovery.
Following surgery, it’s crucial that you follow the advice and recommendations of your surgeon and healthcare team when it comes to diet and exercise. A nutritious, well-balanced diet should be consumed; sugary or processed carbohydrates must be avoided while vitamins/supplements may also be necessary. Furthermore, regular appointments with healthcare providers should be attended, in addition to participating in support groups to stay motivated.
After surgery, patients typically begin with liquid diet for one to three days post-surgery before gradually adding solid foods in stages. It’s wise to eat slowly and chew thoroughly in order to avoid post-surgical vomiting which is common.
Some bariatric surgeries cause malabsorption of nutrients in your small intestine, leading to nutritional deficiencies and loose stools. Your doctor may provide nutritional supplements as part of a recovery regimen after surgery.
After surgery, it’s also essential to drink plenty of water to flush your system and reduce gas symptoms. Dietary changes and exercise may help alleviate gas, but if this becomes an ongoing issue your doctor can also provide medication that alleviates them.
Maintaining a healthy weight requires ongoing cooperation between yourself and your surgeon and health care team. Eating nutritious meals, taking supplements and engaging in physical activity will all play an integral part in keeping off unwanted pounds. You should also refrain from drinking alcohol as this may negatively impact how your body absorbs fat-soluble vitamins.
