Weight loss surgery is often mistakenly categorized as a “quick fix” to help you lose weight. While bariatric procedures such as the trademarked and patented Mini Sleeve and gastric bypass surgery can certainly improve a patient’s life, there are some habits and lifestyle changes that the patient must make to achieve his or her weight loss goals.
Simply put, there is no “easy way out” when it comes to losing weight. Making real progress toward a healthier weight takes determination, effort, sacrifice and sometimes pure grit. Weight loss surgery is a valuable tool that helps more than 100,000 people each year who are struggling to lose weight — but it is not a magic solution. If you’re considering weight loss surgery in Dallas, the first question to ask yourself is whether or not you are committed to living a weight loss lifestyle.
Here’s a real look at life after gastric bypass surgery.
1. You’ll create a new relationship with food.
Gastric bypass surgery shrinks the size of the stomach, helping patients eat less and consume fewer calories. But that means overindulgence is a thing of the past. After gastric bypass surgery, your new stomach will require you to eat tiny, nutrient-dense meals throughout the day. Rich, sugary, fried or fatty foods can cause nausea and what is known as “dumping syndrome.” The post-op diet also requires you to chew food thoroughly and eat slowly.
2. You’ll need to take dietary supplements.
Not only does gastric bypass surgery reduce stomach capacity, but it also induces weight loss by a mechanism known as malabsorption. The procedure reconfigures the way food travels from the stomach to the intestines, meaning that the body absorbs fewer nutrients — fat and calories, but also essential vitamins and minerals. To make up for this loss, vitamins and supplements become a way of life for weight loss surgery patients.
3. You’ll need to make a real commitment to exercise.
As with any weight loss program, exercise is essential for optimal weight loss and improved health following gastric bypass surgery. Daily exercise not only boosts metabolism, but can also prevent blood clots, lower bad cholesterol, increase good cholesterol, improve insulin control, improve depression and increase self-esteem. It is recommended that gastric bypass surgery patients work with a certified professional fitness trainer after surgery to develop an exercise plan that suits his or her individual needs and abilities.
4. You’ll have a new lease on life.
Yes, gastric bypass surgery patients are asked to commit to the hard work of living a weight-loss lifestyle, but it’s not without many benefits. In addition to shedding those excess pounds, weight loss surgery can help patients improve health conditions such as diabetes, sleep apnea, hypertension, GERD, metabolic syndrome, depression and more. Are you ready to take the leap? Contact First Baptist Medical Center today to schedule a consultation with an experienced surgeon who performs weight loss surgery in Dallas.
