Before Surgery
Eating right and exercise is the best way to treat obesity. However, bariatric surgery may be the next step for people who have tried all non-surgical measures and still remain obese.
Weight loss surgery requires a serious commitment on your part. You should take into consideration all the hard work, lifestyle changes and motivation it will take after surgery. Weight loss surgery is an effective treatment for obesity, although the pounds do not come off by themselves. The surgery is only an aid to help achieve lasting results by limiting your food intake.
Aside from any medical qualifications to determine if you are a candidate for surgery, there is a list of things you must do to ensure that this next step is right for you. To achieve your desired outcome, you must be determined to lose weight and improve your health. You must also be aware of how your life may change after the operation and be committed to lifelong medical follow-up. You must understand the outcomes of surgery including the risks and possible complications. Surgical outcomes, both good and bad are listed below.
Surgical Outcomes
Expected benefits:
- Long term weight loss: Patients who underwent gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy procedures lose about 60-80% excess weight; Allergan LAP-BAND® System patients lose about 55-65%*
- Reduction or resolution of co-morbidities
- Improved quality of life
- Procedures usually performed using laparoscopic, minimally invasive, small incision techniques result in less scar, less pain and fewer wound problems such as hernias or infections. Rarely, surgery may have to be performed with a larger, more traditional, open technique.
Potential problems:
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Possible weight regain
- Temporary hair loss
