4 Myths and Facts about Bariatric Obesity Surgery
It is the extremely obese who find it difficult to lose weight by exercise and diet who consider undergoing bariatric obesity surgery to fight the flab. Obesity leads to depression and overeating and consequent health problems like diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure and heart disease. However the bariatric surgery procedure is often misunderstood because of the following myths:
Myth #1: Bariatric surgery is an easy and great way for fat people to reduce.
Fact: This isn't true as even after undergoing bariatric surgery, you have to follow a strict diet and take supplements everyday of your life. Moreover, you have to be careful of what you eat to prevent nausea and vomiting; and as surgery is permanent and irreversible, these changes are lifelong.
Myth #2: Another name for surgery is stomach stapling.
Fact: surgery is carried out using different procedures, most of which help reduce the size of the stomach and re-routes the small intestine. The latest technique used is the lap band procedure where an adjustable and removable silicone band is used to reduce the stomach size. As there are various options available for surgery, you have to discuss the matter with your physician to choose the best procedure for your case.
Myth #3: Bariatric surgery is dangerous.
Fact: Not only bariatric surgery, surgery of any form is dangerous. There is the risk of infection, blood clots and other complications occurring. However improvements in surgery like use of laparoscopic procedures have lead to reduced hospital stay and recovery time.
Myth #4: It is possible to eat what you want after surgery.
Fact: This is not at all true as you have to monitor whatever you eat and drink after the surgery, to prevent gaining back the lost weight. Moreover, as permanent bariatric surgery reduces the absorption of vital nutrients, you have to take diet and daily supplements after the surgery. In fact, failure of patients in following food diets after the surgery is the number one reason for the failure of the surgery.
So though most people think that surgery is a short cut to losing weight, this is not so. It is only a means of quickening weight loss; once weight is lost, you have to follow a healthy diet and have regular exercise to keep the lost weight away.
Myth #1: Bariatric surgery is an easy and great way for fat people to reduce.
Fact: This isn't true as even after undergoing bariatric surgery, you have to follow a strict diet and take supplements everyday of your life. Moreover, you have to be careful of what you eat to prevent nausea and vomiting; and as surgery is permanent and irreversible, these changes are lifelong.
Myth #2: Another name for surgery is stomach stapling.
Fact: surgery is carried out using different procedures, most of which help reduce the size of the stomach and re-routes the small intestine. The latest technique used is the lap band procedure where an adjustable and removable silicone band is used to reduce the stomach size. As there are various options available for surgery, you have to discuss the matter with your physician to choose the best procedure for your case.
Myth #3: Bariatric surgery is dangerous.
Fact: Not only bariatric surgery, surgery of any form is dangerous. There is the risk of infection, blood clots and other complications occurring. However improvements in surgery like use of laparoscopic procedures have lead to reduced hospital stay and recovery time.
Myth #4: It is possible to eat what you want after surgery.
Fact: This is not at all true as you have to monitor whatever you eat and drink after the surgery, to prevent gaining back the lost weight. Moreover, as permanent bariatric surgery reduces the absorption of vital nutrients, you have to take diet and daily supplements after the surgery. In fact, failure of patients in following food diets after the surgery is the number one reason for the failure of the surgery.
So though most people think that surgery is a short cut to losing weight, this is not so. It is only a means of quickening weight loss; once weight is lost, you have to follow a healthy diet and have regular exercise to keep the lost weight away.
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