Weight Loss Surgery
Weight Loss Surgery, also called Bariatric Surgery, this is sometimes used as a treatment for people who are very obese. It can lead to significant weight loss and helps to improve obesity related diseases, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Weight Loss surgery contributes to weight loss in two types:
1. Restrictive
2. Malabsorptive
Restrictive- Restrictive surgeries work by shrinking the size of the stomach and slowing down digestion. This Surgery is used to physically limit the amount of food the stomach can hold, which limits the number of calories you can eat. The smaller the stomach, the less you can eat. The less you eat, the more weight you lose.
Malabsorptive- Malabsorptive surgeries change how you take in food. This Surgery is used to shorten or bypass part of the small intestine, which reduces the amount of calories and nutrients the body absorbs.
Why it's done
- Restore your self-assurance and confidence regarding your body
- Help you lose weight and avoid gaining weight
- Get you used to eating the smaller amounts of food that your smaller stomach can comfortably and safely digest
Preparing For Your Weight Loss Surgery
Before you have your surgery, there are a few body preparation tips that we recommend. These will help you through your recovery. It is important to follow your surgeon's pre and post-op advice as this is specific to you.
Foods to avoid after Weight Loss Surgery
The following are 10 foods to avoid after your Weight Loss Surgery :
- Foods with empty calories (i.e. sweets, chips, popcorn, pretzels)
- Alcohol
- Dry foods (i.e. nuts, granola, dry cereal)
- Caffeinated (avoid for a month after surgery)
- Sugary drinks
- Pasta, bread, and rice
- Corn, peas, potatoes, winter squash
- Fatty foods (i.e. bacon, sausage, whole milk, butter)
- Foods reheated in the microwave
- Spicy foods
Benefits of Weight Loss Surgery
The benefits of bariatric surgery go beyond just losing weight, it may improve or resolve conditions often related to obesity, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, heart disease, improves fertility, eliminate obstructive sleep apnea, long-term remission for type 2 diabetes, relief of depression, joint pain relief and stroke. Weight loss surgery can also relieve metabolic syndrome, pregnancy complications, gallbladder disease and more.
For more suggestions and better guidance about Weight Loss Surgery you may contact our expert Mr Aftab Siddiqui, a consultant cosmetic and plastic surgeon in Manchester, Chester, Preston.
Criteria for Weight Loss Surgery
To be eligible for weight-loss surgery, you must meet the following requirements: Patient should not have a BMI that is high enough. A BMI of 40 or greater regardless of obesity related conditions or BMI between 35 and 40 with one or more obesity-related condition, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or severe sleep apnea is required to have surgery.
Can you ever eat normally after Bariatric Surgery?
After bariatric surgery you have to follow a special diet. During the first two weeks you will only consume liquid foods, after that on third and fourth week you can transition into eating soft foods. You can usually start eating regular foods about three months after surgery. At each stage of the bariatic surgery diet, you must be careful by following some rules such as eating smaller portions, eat as slowly as possible and chew well but when you feel full, stop eating immediately. You should also drink 64 ounces of fluid a day, to avoid dehydration. Therefore, life after bariatric surgery is not that much different and you can soon eat almost anything.
Risk of Bariatric Surgery
Risks associated with the weight loss surgical procedure can include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Blockage or leaking in bowels
- Blood clots in legs and lungs
- Pneumonia
- Infection
- Urinary-tract infection
- Leaks in your gastrointestinal system
- Adverse reactions to anesthesia
- Lung or breathing problems
- Death (rare)
Post Operative Activities
- You should consult with your care team before resuming or beginning an exercise regimen post-surgery.
- Alcohol consumption is not recommended for people who have undergone weight loss surgery.
- Body exercises can be resumed after 6-8 weeks.