Weight Loss Surgery: Types, Procedure, After Care & Support

For severely overweight individuals who have failed to see results from diet and exercise alone, weight loss surgery has become the safest a...

For severely overweight individuals who have failed to see results from diet and exercise alone, weight loss surgery has become the safest and most effective means of significant weight loss. In fact, studies have shown that with diet and exercise alone, about 95% of obese patients will regain all their lost weight within 5 years. On the other hand, the long-term success rate for weight loss surgery – including the LAP-Band procedure – is remarkably high, allowing patients to maintain a loss of between 50–70% of their excess body weight. . Although there are many factors that can influence a person's weight loss success, weight loss surgery is the most effective long-term weight loss and healthy lifestyle solution for severely obese patients.

How Effective Is Weight Loss Surgery?

Studies show that most patients who undergo weight loss surgery will lose between 50-70% of their excess body weight within the first three years after their procedure. People who undergo gastric bypass surgery will lose excess body weight more rapidly in the first 12 months than those who choose LAP-BAND surgery. However, gastric bypass patients typically experience more complications and side effects than LAP-BAND patients, as the LAP-BAND procedure allows for more gradual and natural long-term weight loss.

From a clinical point of view, weight loss surgery is considered successful when the patient has lost at least 50% of their excess body weight and has maintained the weight loss for at least five years. While significant lifestyle changes need to be made to ensure that weight loss is maintained over the long term, studies have shown that most weight loss surgery patients lose excess body weight 10 years after the surgical procedure. Able to sustain 50-60% damage. . However, it is important to note that a weight loss of only 10% of total body weight can begin to have positive health effects in addressing obesity-related conditions such as asthma, gastric reflux (GERD), and diabetes. Since weight loss surgery is typically performed on patients who are at least 75–100 pounds overweight or have a body mass index (BMI) of at least 35 with a health condition, the total weight loss is 40. Can be anywhere from a pound to 100 pounds. . But the patient is really the leader in achieving these results.

While patients will certainly look and feel better after weight loss surgery, there are many health benefits associated with successful weight loss. In most cases, health conditions that develop as a result of excessive body weight or are made worse by obesity can in some cases be improved with weight loss surgery.

But there are other ways to measure success with weight loss surgery, such as the LAP-BAND System. For example, many weight loss surgery patients take great pride in being able to perform some activities that may not have been possible for many years, such as crossing their legs, bending over to tie a shoe. , walking easily without rolling upstairs or sitting comfortably in an airplane seat.

Weight Loss Surgery by Expert

While most patients who undergo weight loss surgery experience incredibly positive results, there are many factors that can affect the overall success of an individual patient's procedure and follow-up treatment. Here are some important factors to consider when trying to determine whether weight loss surgery is right for you.

Pre Surgery Weight

In general, the higher a patient's pre-surgery weight or BMI, the more weight the patient can lose after surgery. However, recipients of weight loss surgery with less excess body weight will eventually come closer to their ideal weight if they commit to diet and exercise over the long term. In addition, recovery or improvement in obesity-related diseases can occur even with a moderate amount of weight gain. Often many diseases may be closer to being cured at a lower weight than with earlier interventions.

Holistic Health

While pre-existing health conditions can affect the overall success of weight-loss surgery (for example, patients with type 2 diabetes typically lose less excess weight after surgery), studies have shown that obesity is associated with Many diseases either improve or fall into remission after a successful procedure. For example, a 2000 study on 500 weight-loss surgery patients showed that about 96% of health conditions associated with obesity – such as high blood pressure, depression, sleep apnea, back pain and diabetes – lost excess weight. There has been a lot of improvement after having and staying for a long time. Commitment to diet and exercise.

Surgical Procedure

As there are potential risks and complications associated with any surgical procedure, potential patients should always seek to have their weight-loss surgery performed by a trusted medical staff. Prospective patients should inquire about their surgeon's success rates with weight-loss surgery and listen to the experiences of former patients. Additionally, a patient's weight-loss success may also be impacted by the quality of post-surgery care and counseling provided by their bariatric outpatient facility.

Diet and Exercise

As diet and exercise are two of the most important factors in any weight loss plan, patients with the physical ability to exercise after weight-loss surgery have increased chances of meeting their goals. To maintain the weight loss achieved by surgery, both exercise and healthy eating habits must become integral parts of a patient's lifestyle.

Commitment

The ability to remain committed to suggested dietary guidelines, exercise regimens and any follow-up care recommended by the bariatric outpatient facility is important for both short-term weight loss and long-term weight management.

Motivation

Weight Loss Surgery

Patients that are motivated to lose weight and willing to follow through with diet and exercise prior to receiving weight loss surgery may experience greater levels of success immediately following the procedure and in the long term. Most people did not find themselves severely obese overnight. It took years to reach that weight and therefore patients should be patient with the weight-loss process, which will also not occur overnight. Successful patients find small victories along the way to celebrate and stay motivated.

Support

As weight-loss surgery will require some time away from everyday activities, it is important to have the support of family, friends, and coworkers before undergoing any surgical procedure. Furthermore, as the ongoing weight-loss process following bariatric surgery may require a certain level of emotional support, prospective patients may want to establish a support network - including friends and family members that can join in on exercise and healthy eating.

Considering that significant weight loss can not only remedy many health concerns but also improve an individual's quality of life, the potential benefits of weight-loss surgery are plentiful. For severely overweight individuals that are unable to lose weight via diet and exercise alone, weight-loss surgery is the most effective method of losing weight - and keeping the weight off.

Weight Loss Surgical Procedure

Because there are potential risks and complications associated with any surgical procedure, prospective patients should always have weight loss surgery performed by a trusted medical staff. Prospective patients should inquire about their surgeon's success rate with weight loss surgery and listen to the experiences of prior patients. Additionally, a patient's weight loss success may also be affected by the quality of post-surgery care and counseling provided by their bariatric outpatient facility.

Diet and Exercise After Weight Loss Surgery

Since diet and exercise are the two most important factors in any weight loss plan, patients with the physical ability to exercise after weight loss surgery are more likely to meet their goals. To maintain the weight loss achieved by surgery, both exercise and a healthy diet should be an integral part of the patient's lifestyle.

Commitment

The ability to stick to recommended dietary guidelines, exercise regimens and any follow-up care recommended by a bariatric outpatient facility is important for both short-term weight loss and long-term weight management.

Inspiration

Patients who are motivated to lose weight and willing to follow through with diet and exercise before receiving weight loss surgery may experience greater levels of success immediately after the procedure and over the long term. Most people didn't find themselves seriously obese overnight. It took years to reach that weight and therefore patients must be patient with the process of weight loss, which will not happen overnight. Successful patients find small victories in the way of celebrating and staying motivated.

Need Weight Loss Surgery Help?

Since weight loss surgery will require some time away from everyday activities, it is important to have the support of family, friends, and colleagues before undergoing any surgical procedure. In addition, as the ongoing weight-loss process following bariatric surgery may require a certain level of emotional support, potential patients may want to establish a support network – which may include friends and family members who are involved in exercise and exercise. Healthy food can be included.

Your Turn

Given that significant weight loss can not only address many health concerns but can also improve a person's quality of life, the potential benefits of weight loss surgery are plentiful. For severely overweight individuals who are unable to lose weight through diet and exercise alone, weight loss surgery is the most effective way to lose weight and keep the weight off.