Bariatric surgery is a life-saving procedure for people with severe obesity. It’s also the most common weight loss surgery globally, performed more than 100,000 times each year. With an average of 35% excess body weight lost after surgery, and significant improvement in comorbidities like diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea, bariatric surgery can be seen as one of the most important medical breakthroughs ever made. In Valhalla, FL, some centers offer effective bariatric surgery procedures for everyone. Book an appointment with Valhalla advanced surgeons.
What is Bariatric Surgery?
Bariatric surgery is a type of surgery that helps people with obesity lose weight. The surgery alters the digestive system to help reduce the amount of food eaten and how much is absorbed. There are many different types of bariatric surgery, but they all have one goal: to help people lose weight.
Who Qualifies for Bariatric Surgery?
Not everyone who is obese qualifies for bariatric surgery. To qualify, you must have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or higher, or a BMI of 35 or higher with another obesity-related condition like diabetes or high blood pressure. You may also qualify for surgery if your BMI is 30 or higher and you have a serious weight-related health problem, like arthritis.
How Does Surgery Work?
There are four major types of bariatric surgery, each with different mechanisms for reducing the amount of food someone can eat, and how much is absorbed in digestion. The four main types are gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, adjustable gastric banding, and biliopancreatic diversion. The surgery can be done using several different techniques.
What Should I Do Next?
If you think bariatric surgery could help you lose weight, talk to your doctor about whether or not it might be a good option for you. Keep in mind that the decision is ultimately between you and your doctor. If you’re sure that surgery is the right decision, learn more about the different procedures and talk to your health care team. Spend some time researching practices; you may find that traveling outside your surrounding clinics could provide you with a more well-known, trusted practice. People travel across states to have their operation done by Dr. Joshua Long of the Bariatric and Metabolic Center of Colorado.
The Benefits of Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery can help improve the quality of your life. Studies have shown that in bariatric surgery, people can lose 50% – 60% of their excess body weight on average and maintain those results for five years or more. In addition to helping you look better on the outside, several studies have shown that bariatric surgery can provide significant health benefits, including;
- Improvement or remission of diabetes
- Improvement or remission of high blood pressure
- Reduction in sleep apnea
- Decreased risk of heart disease and stroke
- Increased life expectancy
What to Expect After Surgery
Expect significant weight loss after bariatric surgery, but know that it isn’t an easy process. Recovery time varies depending on the type of procedure you have, with some surgeries taking longer than others.
During recovery, you will need to take things slow and allow your body to adjust. While your new stomach pouch is shrinking, you may not be able to eat as much as you did before surgery. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully, and the results will be promising.
Bariatric surgery is a surgical procedure that helps people with obesity lose weight. It also provides significant health benefits and can help improve the quality of your life. If you think bariatric surgery could be right for you, talk to your doctor about it.
