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Obesity
Surgery
Information
You
Need
To
Know...
Hello,
I'm
Jane.
Everyone
knows
that
you
have
to
be
exceptionally
careful
before
selecting
any
type
of
obesity
surgery
program.
That's
why
we've
created
this
special
page
on
our
web
site
to
inform
you
of
the
different
options
you
have
and
to
help
you
with
your
decision.
Best
of
luck
with
your
decision
and
always remember
to
listen
to
your
doctor.
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Weight
loss
surgery
is
often
seen
as
an
"easy
out"
for
people
struggling
with
obesity,
but
it
is
actually
not
an
easy
road
to
walk
down
at
all.
If
you
are
severely
overweight
and
are
considering
surgery,
there
are
some
things
to
think
about
before
setting
the
surgery
date. |
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The
original
use
of
weight
loss
surgery
(often
known
as
bariatric
surgery)
was
really
not
intended
for
weight
loss
at
all.
The
procedure
was
used
to
remove
large
ulcers
from
patient's
stomachs,
or
to
prevent
the
spread
of
cancer
from
the
stomach
to
other
areas
of
the
body.
When
doctor's
removed
part
of
the
stomach
they
happened
to
notice
that
weight
loss
was
a
natural
side
effect.
That
is
when
some
doctors
started
using
the
procedure
to
help
patients
struggling
with
obesity.
In
general,
you
could
be
considered
a
potential
surgery
patient
if
you
are
80
or
more
pounds
overweight
as
a
woman,
or
over
100
pounds
overweight
as
a
man.
This
is
a
very
general
guideline
as
only
a
qualified
surgeon
can
really
determine
whether
a
specific
individual
is
ready
for
surgery.
If
you
go
for
a
consultation
with
a
surgeon
they
will
review
your
medical
background
and
give
you
a
physical
screening.
They
are
also
likely
to
send
you
for
mental
screening
to
ensure
you
want
the
surgery
for
the
right
reasons,
are
competent
to
go
through
the
process,
and
can
adjust
to
nutritional
requirements
after
surgery.
Nutritional
counseling
is
also
performed
prior
to
and
after
the
surgery.
Is
Weight
Loss
Surgery
Right
For
You?
For
many
people
who
seek
surgery
for
weight
loss,
the
risks
of
the
surgery
are
not
as
scary
as
the
risks
of
living
obese.
Many
are
diagnosed
diabetics
or
are
at
serious
risk
for
heart
disease.
Others
may
be
suffering
from
gallstones,
high
blood
pressure,
and
cholesterol
levels
that
are
out
of
control.
These
health
risks
lead
them
to
their
physician's
office
to
talk
about
surgery
because
they
do
not
want
to
live
another
day
with
these
health
risks
hanging
over
their
heads.
Options
For
Weight
Loss
Surgery
Although
the
original
type
of
weight
loss
surgery
procedures
are
not
still
performed
today,
there
are
two
main
kinds
of
techniques
used
for
promoting
healthy
weight
loss,
malabsorptive
and
restrictive
surgery.
Through
a
combination
of
eating
less
food
because
of
one
or
both
types
of
surgery
while
still
getting
the
right
amount
of
vitamins
and
minerals,
healthy
weight
loss
is
definitely
possible.
Most
all
people
lose
weight
rather
quickly
immediately
following
these
surgeries
and
continue
to
do
so
for
up
to
two
years
or
more
afterward,
although
most
will
regain
some
of
those
lost
pounds
with
some
even
gaining
all
or
more
back.
Making
an
informed
decision
ahead
of
time
and
staying
in
close
communication
with
doctors
and
nutritionists
or
counselors
can
greatly
help
to
make
the
adjustment
following
weight
loss
surgery.
-
Malabsorptive
Surgery:
Commonly
called
gastric
bypass
surgery,
this
is
the
type
of
surgery
most
people
are
familiar
with.
It
is
often
performed
simultaneously
with
some
type
of
restrictive
surgery
and
the
main
goal
is
to
reduce
the
amount
of
food
that
can
be
held
by
the
stomach
at
one
time,
thus
the
amount
absorbed
into
the
body.
This
is
accomplished
by
making
the
small
intestine
smaller
and
attaching
it
to
the
stomach
in
a
location
that
makes
the
stomach
smaller.
-
Restrictive
Surgery:
This
type
of
weight
loss
surgery
is
designed
to
completely
remove
a
portion
of
the
stomach,
or
at
least
block
part
of
it
off
so
it
cannot
be
used.
This
is
accomplished
with
a
gastric
band
which
makes
the
stomach
smaller
so
only
small
amounts
of
food
can
be
consumed
at
one
time.
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Every
kind
of
surgery
raises
many
questions,
and
obesity
surgery
is
no
different
because
it
alters
the
way
the
stomach
digests
the
food
you
eat.
Many
risks
are
involved
with
this
type
of
surgery,
but
you
can
have
a
successful
surgery
and
achieve
great
results
if
you
know
what
to
expect
and
what
you
need
to
do.
Answers
to
some
of
the
most
frequently
asked
questions
about
this
type
of
surgery
are
below.
They
can
help
you
go
into
your
obesity
surgery
with
all
your
fears
put
to
rest. |
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Which
tests
will
I
need
before
the
surgery?
The
tests
which
are
necessary
will
vary
from
person
to
person,
but
the
basic
tests
include
the
following:
chemistry
panel,
urinalysis,
complete
blood
count,
glucose
tolerance
test,
EKG
and
a
chest
X-ray.
Women
might
require
a
vaginal
ultrasound
to
check
for
abnormalities.
Some
doctors
like
to
do
an
ultrasound
on
the
gallbladder
and
some
may
ask
for
other
tests,
such
as
a
psychiatric
evaluation,
pulmonary
function
tests,
a
GI
evaluation,
an
echocardiogram
and,
in
some
cases,
a
sleep
study.
Why
do
I
need
to
have
so
many
tests?
There
are
many
tests
that
need
to
be
performed
in
order
to
have
obesity
surgery.
Many
people
think
that
the
amount
of
tests
needed
are
not
necessary
but
the
fact
is
that
your
doctor
is
trying
to
prevent
any
complications
from
arising
both
during
and
after
surgery.
The
surgeon
will
need
to
have
an
accurate
assessment
of
your
health
and
your
body
so
that
they
can
do
what
is
necessary
for
your
particular
surgery.
You
will
need
to
steer
clear
of
butter,
gravy,
margarine
and
mayonnaise.
It
is
also
recommended
that
you
stay
away
from
all
junk
foods.
You
will
need
to
drink
at
least
2
to
3
quarts
of
water
each
day
but
be
sure
to
do
it
slowly
and
do
not
snack
at
all
in
between
meals.
Do
not
drink
any
flavored
drinks
and
be
sure
to
drink
your
fluids
slowly
doing
one
sip
at
a
time.
Will
I
need
to
be
on
a
special
diet
after
the
surgery?
Absolutely.
Your
stomach
will
be
unable
to
process
the
food
you
eat
the
same
way
it
did
before
your
surgery.
You
will
need
to
follow
special
dietary
guidelines
very
closely.
Some
patients
may
be
put
on
a
liquid
diet
immediately
following
the
surgery,
and
you
might
be
one
of
them.
When
your
body
tolerates
the
liquid
diet
well,
you
will
be
able
to
eat
soft
or
semi-solid
foods.
Your
stomach
might
not
be
ready
to
handle
solid
foods
for
several
months.
If
you
try
to
push
yourself
too
fast
with
the
foods
you
eat,
you
might
suffer
from
nausea
and
vomiting,
or
even
diarrhea.
You
never
want
to
stretch
your
stomach
and
tear
open
the
new
stomach
pouch
your
surgeon
created.
When
you
begin
eating
solid
foods
you
will
only
be
able
to
eat
two
or
three
small
meals
a
day.
Your
protein
will
need
to
come
from
chicken,
turkey,
fish
and
other
low-fat
sources.
Will
I
have
any
problems
with
hanging
skin
after
I
lose
weight?
Yes,
but
you
can
do
some
things
to
minimize
this
problem,
including
exercising
every
day
after
you
recover
from
your
obesity
surgery.
The
standard
recommendation
to
keep
your
body
in
shape
is
at
at
least
20
minutes
of
aerobic
exercise
every
day.
Some
people
may
require
an
operation
to
remove
excess
skin
because
their
skin
has
stretched
so
much
from
being
overweight
for
such
a
long
period.
Have
a
detailed
discussion
with
your
doctor
about
every
concern
you
have,
so
you
know
exactly
what
you
can
expect.
There
is
a
very
good
chance
you
will
have
to
go
through
counseling
both
before
and
after
your
obesity
surgery.
The
counseling
will
guide
you
through
the
entire
process.
It
will
help
you
handle
the
surgery
and
know
what
will
be
expected
of
you
to
allow
your
obesity
surgery
to
succeed.
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| Any type of surgery raises
a great deal of questions especially
obesity surgery as this alters the way
ones stomach processes the food that is
digested. There are a great deal of risks
involved with this type of surgery but
knowing what to expect and what you need
to do, you can have a successful surgery
with great results. Below are some of the
most frequently asked questions regarding
this type of surgery so that you can go
into this procedure with all of your
fears put to rest. |
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What sorts of tests will I need to have
before my operation? The required tests be will different
from one person to the next, but the standard tests
include an EKG, urinalysis, complete blood count,
chemistry panel, glucose tolerance test and a chest
X-ray. A vaginal ultrasound might be performed on women
to check for abnormalities. Some physicians order an
ultrasound on the gall bladder and might request certain
other evaluations, including a GI evaluation, an
echocardiogram and pulmonary function testing. A sleep
study might also be conducted.
Why do I need to have so many tests? There
are many tests that need to be performed in order to have
obesity surgery. Many people think that the amount of
tests needed are not necessary but the fact is that your
doctor is trying to prevent any complications from
arising both during and after surgery. The surgeon will
need to have an accurate assessment of your health and
your body so that they can do what is necessary for your
particular surgery.
Do I need to be on a special diet after
surgery? Yes. Your stomach will not be able to process
the foods you eat like it used to. You will need to have
special dietary guidelines to follow very closely. In
some cases the patient may need to be on a liquid diet
right after surgery. Once you can tolerate that well then
you can move onto soft foods or semi solid foods. It can
take months before your stomach is ready to handle solid
foods.
If you try to go too fast with the foods
you eat, you may experience nausea and vomiting and even
diarrhea. You do not want to stretch your stomach out and
tear the new stomach pouch open that the surgeon has
created. When you can eat solids you will only be able to
eat 2 to 3 small meals each day. You will need to get
your protein from turkey, chicken or fish as well as some
low-fat sources.
Avoid high-fat foods such as butter,
mayonnaise, gravy and margarine. You should also stay
away from junk food of any type. You will need to drink
at least two to three quarts of water daily, but make
sure you drink it slowly. Never have a snack between
meals. Avoid all flavored drinks, and make sure to drink
all your liquids one sip at a time.
Will I have problems with hanging skin
after the weight loss? Yes but there steps you can take
to minimize this such as daily exercise. It is
recommended that you get at least 20 minutes of aerobic
exercise daily to keep your body in shape. Some people
have their skin stretches to far from being overweight
for so long that they may require surgery to remove the
excess skin.
Make sure you speak with your doctor in
detail about any concerns you may have so you know
exactly what to expect. You will probably need counseling
before and after your obesity surgery to guide you
through the entire process. This counseling will help you
deal with the operation and know what you need to do in
order to have successful obesity surgery.
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| Are you wondering if
weight loss surgery could be the answer
to your problems with weight? Are you
tired of hauling around the excess weight
or scared of what health consequences
could come from obesity? If so, then
there are some things to consider before
you decide to go through with
surgery. |
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The original use of weight loss surgery
(often known as bariatric surgery) was really not
intended for weight loss at all. The procedure was used
to remove large ulcers from patient's stomachs, or to
prevent the spread of cancer from the stomach to other
areas of the body. When doctor's removed part of the
stomach they happened to notice that weight loss was a
natural side effect. That is when some doctors started
using the procedure to help patients struggling with
obesity.
Could You Be a Candidate for Weight Loss
Surgery?
Obesity is one of the leading causes of
poor health and a host of serious ailments and
conditions. Diabetes is one of the most common
weight-related illnesses along with things like high
blood pressure, high cholesterol, gallstones, an
increased risk of arthritis, and heart disease. For those
who are morbidly obese, the risks of not having the
surgery are often greater than the complications of
having the surgery, making it important to discuss all
options with a surgeon or some other experienced health
care professional.
In general, you could be considered a
potential surgery patient if you are 80 or more pounds
overweight as a woman, or over 100 pounds overweight as a
man. This is a very general guideline as only a qualified
surgeon can really determine whether a specific
individual is ready for surgery. If you go for a
consultation with a surgeon they will review your medical
background and give you a physical screening. They are
also likely to send you for mental screening to ensure
you want the surgery for the right reasons, are competent
to go through the process, and can adjust to nutritional
requirements after surgery. Nutritional counseling is
also performed prior to and after the surgery.
Options For Weight Loss Surgery
- Malabsorptive Surgery: This type of
weight loss surgery, often called a gastric bypass,
involves the shortening of the small intestine, which is
where most of the digestive and absorption processes take
place, and then reconnecting it back to the stomach in
another location. This procedure that's often done along
with a restrictive type of surgery at the same time
results in less food being absorbed or digested, ideally
bringing about weight loss.
The two main options your surgeon will
likely present to you today are called malabsorptive
surgery and restrictive surgery. The original bariatric
surgeries are no longer available.
If you go through weight loss surgery you
are going to lose weight. You will be able to eat less
food and will learn through nutritional counseling how to
eat properly to ensure your body gets all of the
essential nutrients and vitamins it needs, and for as
much as two years you could find yourself dropping the
pounds quite easily. Yet, it is very important to remain
in close contact with counselors and other support
systems to ensure you do not become one of the many that
gain all the weight right back.
- Restrictive Surgery: This type of
surgery is referred to as gastric band surgery because it
completely blocks off or removes a portion of the
stomach. The goal is to literally create a smaller
stomach pouch so you get full faster and are unable to
eat large portions of food at once.
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