5 things you may not know about bariatric surgery
Bariatric is based on the Greek word that means weight.
Bariatric surgery is a major operation that seal most of the
stomach reducing the amount of food a person can eat and also
rearranges the intestines in such a way that reduces calories
that the body can absorb. Bariatric surgery is in no way a quick
or easy solution and really is a very serious piece of
gastrointestinal surgery. Bariatric surgery is actually a
collective term that incorporates the different types of weight
loss operation that are available but each comes with their own
risk and there own benefits. Bariatric surgery will mean some
serious life changes following the operation and you should
seriously consider whether there is a more viable alternative
before you consider going under the knife.
1- One of the first things you should know, and probably already
know, is that Bariatric surgery is by no means a cheap
alternative to a life of dieting. At around $25,000 it is
expensive. Insurers are beginning to recognize that obesity is a
serious health issue and some time in the future they may offer
to cover part of these costs.
2- Bariatric surgery will mean major lifestyle changes and many
of them will be forced on you. For a start you physically won't
be able to eat as much. Your stomach has been shrunk meaning
that there simply isn't the room to place large amounts of food.
3- Patients tend to lose between 100 and 200 pounds in weight
and this sudden change can have it's own effects on your body.
You may suffer from quite severe back pains and other
complications with joints and muscles. You will need to take it
easy at first, don't assume that because you weigh 100 pounds
less you can suddenly run the marathon.
4- You must be considered morbidly obese before you will be
considered for Bariatric surgery. This means you are overweight
by at least 100 pounds or you are unlikely to be considered for
the operation.
5- If you are seriously obese then you may need to be taken into
hospital prior to the operation to ensure that there are fewer
risks with the surgery. You will likely have to spend some
considerable time in hospital after the operation and will need
to attend regular checkups with your physician and your
specialist.