Have you considered the option of a bariatric procedure for yourself or a loved one? The different surgeries available have helped thousands of people who suffer from obesity to gain a new chance at living a fulfilling life. Learn about the basics of bariatric weight loss surgery – it just might be the answer you were looking for.
The Problem of Obesity
To understand medical procedures, one needs to spend some time understanding the root problem. Obesity is one of the most serious health issues across American society right now. Close to 40% of Americans are obese and this is affecting not just the individuals but also their families and the health system in general.
There are many problems that are associated with obesity. Heart conditions and strokes have been strongly linked to being overweight and obesity is also related to high blood pressure. Diabetes is another serious condition that can result from obesity along with gallbladder issues. Breathing ailments like sleep apnea are caused by being overweight. Obesity also causes a lot of stress on the muscles and the skeletal system – osteoarthritis is a common problem.
Obesity is something that many tackle via lifestyle changes. It is after all in many cases, a lifestyle problem – a result of inactivity and bad diet habits. However, dramatic weight gain can result in people struggling to have basic mobility. Bariatric procedures allow obese people to experience drastic weight loss in a controlled and medically approved manner and this sets them on the path of a lifestyle overhaul.
The Different Bariatric Procedures
The most common of bariatric weight loss procedures in the USA, the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery involves dividing the stomach and small intestine to reduce stomach storage space and regulate the flow of food and digestive enzymes. The lower part of the stomach still continues its function of producing necessary enzymes but does not take part in the storage of food anymore. Gastric bypass surgery is reversible.
Sleeve gastrectomy involves the removal of a portion of the stomach. This limits the amount of food that a person can eat in one meal. The stomach is stapled to create a sleeve – which gives the procedure its name. This is not a reversible procedure.
Lap band surgery or Laparoscopic adjustable banding is considered the most simple bariatric procedure. It involves tying a band on the stomach to create two portions – like an hourglass. This procedure maintains the regular digestion process while reducing the capacity for food a person has for one sitting. An advantage of this minimally invasive procedure is that the hospital stays are shorter and it is reversible. To understand more about the different pricing factors, one can check http://www.baybariatrics.com/prices.
Gastric imbrication is another minor invasive procedure. In this surgery, the stomach is folded onto itself with the help of sutures. The main aim is to lower the threshold for the volume of food the stomach can handle at one time. It helps patients eat less.
Social and Lifestyle Rejuvenation
Bariatric surgery has helped many people regain control of their lives. Recovering patients are able to enjoy increased amounts of physical activity. In many cases, people who have undergone bariatric surgery are now avid swimmers, runners, and hikers. Social awkwardness has become a thing of the past and scenarios like getting into a plane seat or an amusement park ride are no longer a cause for embarrassment.
After a lifestyle change that is facilitated by bariatric weight loss surgery, patients are able to spend quality time with their families and loved ones. They are able to apply for more jobs and their confidence levels also increase.
Safety Level of Bariatric Procedures
Many people often worry about the safety of bariatric procedures. Since there are multiple options, there are differences in the chances for post-surgery complications. In general, these procedures are considered safe. They are well established surgical techniques that have been approved by the relevant medical organizations. If you are going to a reputed specialist, then the risks of complications are low.
Many medical experts also conclude that the risks of complications after bariatric surgery are not as bad as the conditions caused by morbid obesity, which kills thousands of people every year. Over the last few years, more people have undergone bariatric weight loss surgery. With increasing reach and continuously improving facilities, these procedures are recommended for those who need them most.
Prerequisites for Bariatric Surgeries
The norm for obesity is that it is a category for someone with a body mass index of over 30. Bariatric procedures are usually the last resort when other non-surgical methods have not worked. The BMI threshold for being eligible for a bariatric procedure is 40. There are cases when this can be lowered to 35 – when a patient is suffering from severe and serious obesity-related problems like hypertension or immobility.
The best way to check eligibility is to reach out to an expert directly. Reputed providers of bariatric weight loss surgery also have a good evaluation system which checks a prospective patient’s mental and physical preparation amongst other factors.
After the Surgery
For post-surgery recovery, patients have to follow strict diets which include a gradual push towards solid foods over a period of eight weeks or more. The diet will need to include supplements for vitamins and other essential nutrients. Some of these food products can be bought online from dedicated stores and clinics that cater to bariatric procedures. Here are some recipes that are designed for the various recovery stages.
A Big, Bold Decision
Bariatric surgery is an important decision that needs to be made after clearly understanding all the factors involved. Insurance companies also have many clauses when it comes to approving such procedures.
They may require the patient to undergo a regiment of dieting and exercise for a few months before it is concluded that bariatric surgery is the only weight loss solution left. This is important because, without insurance approval, bariatric surgery is considered a cosmetic procedure and will turn out to be more expensive.
They always say that prevention is better than cure. A healthy lifestyle is the need of the hour. However, in cases where obesity has become an obstacle to living a normal life, there is always a viable second chance to turn things around. Bariatric procedures can provide that chance.