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Weight Loss Surgery

For many people the option of choosing weight loss surgery is very attractive, especially if they have a lot of weight to lose. For a lot of people who take this route it is because they have tried on many occasions to lose their excess weight by lots of different means, which include diet, medication and exercise. However whilst weight loss surgery can appear to be an attractive proposition, it can carry its own problems as well.

Any type of surgery involves risks, and that includes the risks from both the procedure itself and also the effects of anesthetic used. Ironically a person may be considered so overweight, the surgeon is reluctant to perform any type of surgery in case they expire on the table. This is usually the case if the person has health related issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease etc that can exacerbate quickly into an emergency.

There are also the added risks after the operation as unfortunately they don't stop once the surgery has been completed.

It is important that anyone who is considering weight loss surgery do their due diligence and look at their options carefully. They should also ensure they choose their surgeon very carefully and ensure he is thoroughly researched. A good surgeon can also be found by word of mouth.

When it comes to a decision about the actual type of surgery to be used, there are a couple of different surgical procedures that can be used. These include laparoscopy surgery where the incisions made are very small (and carry less risk of side effects), or procedures such as a gastric bypass, which involves a much bigger wound.

After undergoing weight loss surgery, patients are usually uncomfortable and in some degree of pain for several weeks afterwards whilst their wound heals. Also for those first few weeks, they are only able to tolerate a liquid diet, which is made up of supplements and other nutrients.

There is a condition which some weight loss surgery patients may be prone to called "dumping". This happens when food travels too quickly to the large intestine from the stomach. They then experience nausea, dizziness, loose stools and some abdominal cramping.

Unfortunately dumping is quite common after weight loss surgery especially if they have undergone a gastric bypass.

Eventually the stomach adapts to it's new shape and except for some minor problems the person is able to adapt to their new style of eating, However it is important that those people who have undergone this type of surgery are aware of other side effects of their weight loss surgery such as heartburn, indigestion, vomiting, stomach ulcers and dehydration.

Weight Loss Surgery can be considered as more of a cosmetic type of surgery - designed to make patients "look normal" however these are some severely obese people for whom this type of surgery can be a life-saver. For them it won't be just a surgical operation that helps them to regain a more acceptable and safe body weight but something that will improve their quality and potentially their longevity of life.

• When patients require bariatric surgery, they need to have adequate and proper counselling both before and after their surgery. In addition to this they will need to be educated and informed about nutrition and how what they eat has an impact on their size and shape.
• They also need to know what the impact of weight loss surgery will be on their body. For instance, sometimes when a patient has lost so much weight, it it inevitable.
• That they are going to end up with saggy skin - and sometimes, the skin is so saggy, that it actually has to be rolled up and placed into their clothes.
• Patients need to be forewarned in order to be equipped to deal with such issues and, primarily, they need to know what the outcome may be. That is, that they are not just going to wake up super slim and walk away - there will be other effects from the surgery.
• They probably won't want to wear sleeveless tops and dresses even though they have lost all this weight. So - it’s not all a rosy happy picture, even after the surgery.

Weight loss surgery is a life altering decision to make. Surgery can certainly help someone who is extremely overweight to lose it, but this is usually if other methods have failed. Surgery is not usually a treatment and shouldn't be considered a treatment or quick fix for slightly overweight or mildly obese people.

If you feel weight loss may help you, you should discuss the risks and benefits of surgery with your doctor to determine whether it will be successful and ultimately the right decision for you. You will also receive information from him about the different types of surgery available along with the drawbacks, risks and benefits of each type.

If your doctor believes weight loss surgery is an ideal option for you, you will then be referred to a specialist consultant/surgeon at a hospital or clinic. He will ask you questions on your personal situation and carefully review your medical history and all your previous attempts to lose weight.

You will also be informed about the exact details of the procedure involved, what you are expected to do in preparation, the extent of the recovery period and the follow up care that will be required. In realty you may be referred to a dietician/nutritionist/psychiatrist therapist as part of a routine evaluation for weight loss surgery. This will help establish a clear understanding of your behavioural changes post operatively which are essential for long term success.

By talking to your primary care physician or Bariatric specialist/surgeon you will be able to make your important decision whilst getting all your important questions immediately answered. It may also help if you join a support group or a Bariatric/weight loss clinic that specialises in weight loss surgery in your area. It is also a good idea to contact a Bariatric/weight loss surgeon to see if they provide seminars and useful, free information to the public as there is much used misinformation regarding weight loss surgery. By talking to others who have already had the surgery, you will be able to obtain a true insight into what it entails.

Weight loss surgery is major surgery. Most patients have a significant improvement in weight/obesity related conditions, for example their mobility, self esteem and their image following successful weight loss surgery, although one should note these results should not be the overriding reason for having the procedure. One should, however consider it a goal to live a better, healthier and longer life.

You should make the decision to undergo weight loss surgery only after you have carefully considered and researched what it entails. It is also very important to note that there are no guarantees in medicine or surgery. There may be unexpected outcomes in every, even the simplest procedures. Weight loss surgery will only succeed when the patient adjusts and makes a life long commitment. There are many unexpected challenges facing a person following weight loss surgery and they can strain relationships with families and partners. A good bariatric surgeon should help their patients achieve their goals and deal with the changes by offering them follow up care that includes support groups, dietician and other forms of continues education.

It must be remembered that the ultimate decision to have weight loss surgery is entirely up to you. Once you have researched all your information you should decide if the benefits will outweigh the side effects and the risks. You should bear in mind that weight loss surgery is a tool and your overall success will depend on strict adherence to a recommended diet, exercise and important lifestyle changes.

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