It seems like everyone is always out for the easy route to a desired goal. Gastric bypass as a solution for extreme obesity may seem like a cop out and a way to avoid the hard work of weight loss, but for most obese people, it may be the only way. Learn about the barriers that obese people face when trying to reach an acceptable weight and why they should not feel guilty about taking the "easy way."
Obesity
Obesity is a medical term for a specific weight range that is considered unhealthy. It is determined by a ratio called the Body Mass Index (BMI), which compares height to weight. For example, according to the Centers for Disease Control, http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/adult/defining.html a person who is 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs between 169 to 202 pounds has a BMI of 25 to 29.9 and is considered overweight. Someone of that height who weighs 203 pounds or more has a BMI of 30 or more and is considered obese.
Obesity can have severe consequences for an individual. It is associated with Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, stroke, sleep apnea, gall stones, kidney disease and sleep apnea. These conditions can lead to a lower quality of life, disability and even death.
The Challenges of Overcoming Obesity
It is nearly impossible for an obese person to lose weight and maintain it through diet and exercise alone. The problem is that when you lose weight, your body starts burning fewer calories in response. In addition, when a person is dieting, hunger and the desire to eat increases. Someone who has lost weight by dieting is actually biologically different than someone of the same size who has never lost weight. So a person who has lost weight by dieting will need to eat fewer calories and exercise more in order to maintain the weight loss. This is not true of a person who has lost weight through gastric bypass surgery.
What Is Gastric Bypass Surgery
Gastric bypass, also called bariatric surgery or weight loss surgery (WLS), is a tool to help obese individuals jumpstart their weight loss efforts. There are many types of WLS. All of them create physical changes to the stomach, which restrict food ingestion as well as absorption of nutrients. Gastric bypass also increases hormones that decrease appetite and increase feelings of fullness. This is why, unlike dieting, gastric bypass can help with long-term weight loss
Benefits
The benefits of WLS can be seen almost immediately. Many people with type 2 diabetes are able to reduce or go off insulin within days of the surgery. Patients are able to exercise more, extending the results of weight loss and many of the conditions caused by the obesity can be reversed with continued weight loss.
Life After Surgery
Gastric bypass is not a simple cure that you undergo and then enjoy a new, healthier, happier life. It requires lifestyle changes and constant vigilance to maintain the weight loss. You need to eat 5 or 6 small meals a day and not snack in between mealtimes. You will also need to follow an exercise program. Because WLS reduces nutrient absorption, you will need to take vitamin and mineral supplements for the rest of your life. You will also need to have regular doctor visits to monitor your vitamin levels and overall health. Without careful adherence to post-surgery guidelines, it's easy to regain the weight you have lost.
As with all surgery, there is some risk. However, the long-term benefits far outweigh the risks og gastric bypass surgery. Talk to a local surgeon, such as Iqbal Nauveed MD FACS, to further discuss this possibility with you.
Share17 February 2015
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