Obesity is a growing problem in today’s world, and many people who are obese find it difficult to lose weight. While everyone should be comfortable in their own skin, being obese can lead to a variety of serious health issues such as diabetes and heart disease. Weight loss surgery is a great way for a person to get their life back on track and become healthier, but there are some key things you need to know about it before getting the procedure.
Are You A Candidate?
Whether you qualify for a weight loss surgery will heavily depend on the regulations and medical practices in your country. However, as the medical professionals from Queensland Bariatrics, one of the top weight loss clinics in Australia explain, you might be a candidate if you’re 18 or older, have a BMI that’s over 35, and the weight gain doesn’t stem from a medical issue. Since surgery is invasive, it’s also advised to only consider it if you’ve been at this bodyweight for over five years. Of course, these are the general guidelines – your personal health is something that’s always taken into consideration so you may qualify for the surgery even if you don’t meet all of these requirements.
The Different Types Of Weight Loss Surgeries
There are four main types of surgeries you can have for weight loss, and the one your doctor decides on will depend on your personal needs. They are all very effective, but one may be more suited for you than another. Gastric banding, sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, and gastric balloons are all considered to be safe weight-loss surgeries. Each one is obviously different, but the end results are the same. In general, you won’t be able to eat as much or as fast, and the food you do have will be digested at a slower rate. In some cases you might lose 100 pounds without even trying – it’s that effective. Also, keep in mind that the weight loss won’t happen right away. It may take several months for you to see any real results, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t notice anything right away.
How To Prepare For Surgery
It’s not unusual for your doctor to advise a pre-surgery diet. Experience has shown that eating foods that are low in carbohydrates for some time before the surgery can lead to a safer procedure. This is because it will ensure that the fat content on your liver is lessened, which means safer access around the top of your stomach during the surgery. You can ask your doctor which foods to avoid in general, whether you have a target weight you need to achieve before you can get the surgery, and you can even visit a nutritionist to help you get on a healthier diet that will bring you closer to your goal.
Recovery And Lifestyle Changes
As you would imagine, weight loss surgery is a major operation that will take you out of commission for at least a few weeks. It’s important to take the time to heal and focus on your health. While the surgery is effective, that doesn’t mean that the results aren’t reversible. You need to continue eating healthy – although now it will be much easier than before, start incorporating physical activity such as long walks and go for regular checkups. While you shouldn’t expect to bounce back and be healthy right away, your new lifestyle should make it easier to achieve long-term results.
Being proactive about your weight loss journey is the best way to get great results. Once you’ve decided on weight loss surgery, make sure you keep your doctor involved in your process, don’t let yourself feel discouraged while you do the necessary prep work before the surgery, and commit to a healthier lifestyle once you recover. You’ll be glad you did!
