Weight loss surgery changes the way you look. In fact, patients who choose to undergo bariatric surgery often look forward to emptying their current wardrobe and refilling it with fashionable styles and smaller sizes. But patients also need to know that the drastic changes that come with weight loss surgery run far more than skin deep.
Being overweight affects nearly every aspect of life, from the quality of your sleep to your social interactions. If you’re considering weight loss surgery, you’re considering a life-changing commitment. Here are five ways bariatric surgery can fundamentally alter your life.
Lose the weight and keep it off.
We all know the frustration of yo-yo dieting — losing weight only to regain it a short time later. Weight loss surgery is one of the few proven means of helping patients who are significantly overweight or obese lose the weight and keep it off. Studies show that even a decade after having undergone weight loss surgery, a majority of patients manage to keep off much of the weight they’ve lost. However, it’s important to note that bariatric surgery is just a tool. Those patients who do maintain their weight loss aren’t able to do so without also making some major lifestyle changes.
Get better sleep.
Patients who are overweight often suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, a disorder that causes snoring, disrupts sleep and can lead to serious medical complications. Without weight loss surgery, patients with sleep apnea are often prescribed the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. This device requires that users wear a mask in order to maintain healthy oxygen levels while they sleep. Following weight loss surgery, many sleep apnea patients achieve a healthy weight and no longer require the assistance of a CPAP machine.
Eliminate weight-related health problems.
Many of our patients come to us with co-existing health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Studies show that bariatric surgery can help improve these and other weight-related health conditions, often reducing or eliminating patients’ dependency on prescription medications. Further, many patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are able to discontinue insulin therapy after undergoing weight loss surgery.
Regain your social life.
Many people who are seriously overweight or obese don’t enjoy an active social life. They may suffer from low self-esteem, depression, anxiety and low confidence. Weight loss surgery can help restore a patient’s confidence and zest for life. Additionally, by improving patients’ overall health, weight loss surgery can help them feel more energized and encourage them to become more active.
Improve mobility and joint health.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), one in three people who are overweight or obese suffers from arthritis. Excess weight adds stress to your joints, leading to damage over time and increasing the risk of falls and related injuries. Just one pound of excess weight adds about four pounds of pressure to your joints, particularly the knees. Additionally, excess fat causes inflammation in the body, which can also cause joint stiffness and pain. Losing just 10 percent of your body weight can significantly reduce inflammation and alleviate the pressure being placed on your joints, eliminating discomfort and improving mobility.
Regaining control of your life is priceless. Are you ready to take the next step on the path to a healthy, active and happy lifestyle? Contact McCarty Weight Loss Center today to schedule your consultation.
