If someone is morbidly obese, they often feel hopeless and helpless. In reality, however, both help and hope is out there for them in the form of bariatric surgery. This surgery is designed to help them lose weight by restricting how much food they can consume and, often, how much of it can be absorbed by the body. Bariatric surgery is major surgery, however, which is why it is only offered to those who meet specific conditions. Those who are eligible often find it to be life-saving.
Types of Bariatric Surgery
There are many different types of bariatric surgery, but the gastric bypass, the lap band, and the gastric sleeve are the most popular ones. The one that is right for you depends on your personal situation and your surgeon will be able to assess you for that. Surgery is becoming increasingly non-invasive as well, which means that many of the risks that were previously associated with it are being minimized.
Getting the Most Out of Bariatric Surgery
What matters most is that you are ready to completely change your life after your surgery. You will no longer be able to eat large portions, so you need to learn how to eat small amounts of the right foods as well. Malnutrition or nutritional deficiencies are common in people who have had bariatric surgery, and you can avoid this by following your surgeon’s and dietician’s advice to the letter. You must also start to engage in physical exercise, which is a vital part of getting and staying healthy.
Bariatric surgery is expensive, but it is likely that your insurance company will cover at least some of the treatment. However, it is likely that you will also have to have further surgery and help, such as removing excess skin, fitness programs, diet plans, body contouring, and more. These may not be covered by your insurance company, although payment plans are usually available.
Bariatric surgery alters the way your body consumes and absorbs food. Usually, this starts by reducing the size of the stomach. With some surgeries, however, the small intestine is also altered, which means people have to eat less, and absorb less food as well. If that is the surgery you have been offered, it is particularly important that you follow all the necessary dietary advice. This is likely to include having to take nutritional supplements for the rest of your life, which is another cost you do have to factor on.
The most important thing, however, is that you can beat obesity with bariatric surgery. The lifestyle changes are significant, but you must understand that these changes will actually save your life. If you continue to live as an obese person, you are likely to develop a range of associated health conditions (if you haven’t already). This includes type 2 diabetes, arthritis, gallbladder problems, sleep apneas, and even, certain forms of cancer. Surgery will help you fight all these issues and that surely makes the difficulties worth it.