| |
|
| |
• |
Am I fat? |
| |
• |
So what, if I am fat? |
| |
• |
What can I do to reduce? |
| |
• |
Why do I not lose weight in spite of dieting? |
| |
• |
What is bariatric surgery? |
| |
• |
Which Procedure is right for you? |
| |
• |
How does weight loss surgery help to reduce excess weight? |
| |
• |
How effective is weight loss surgery? |
| |
• |
How rapidly will I lose weight after the laparoscopic obesity surgery? |
| |
• |
What is the expected hospital stay for the surgery? |
| |
• |
How long will it take to recover from surgical procedure? |
| |
• |
What type of diet will be recommended after surgery? |
| |
• |
What is life like, after surgery? |
| |
• |
When can I have children after the surgery? |
| |
• |
Will the complications due to my obesity go away after the surgery? |
|
| |
|
| |
• |
Am I fat? |
| |
|
“Fat” is also called “obese” in medical terminology. Fat can be seen and it does not require a doctor to know if a person is fat. Doctors calculate your BMI (Body Mass Index) to know how much excess weight a person has in relation to their height. BMI of a normal weight person ranges from 18 to 24.9 kg/m2
Overweight BMI 25-29.9
Obesity class IBMI 30-34.9
Obesity class IIBMI 35-39.9
Obesity class IIIBMI 40 or above
|
| |
|
Back to Top |
| |
• |
So what, if I am fat? |
| |
|
Obesity usually does not come alone but brings several medical problems with it , some of which can be - Diabetes, hypertension, increased fat & cholesterol in blood, cardiac diseases, respiratory diseases, sleep apnea, arthritis, depression, stress incontinence, menstrual irregularity and so on.
|
| |
|
Back to Top |
| |
• |
What can I do to reduce? |
| |
|
Depending on which class of obesity you fit into and whether or not you have associated co-morbid conditions, the options available are: Diet, Exercise, Drugs, & Surgery. |
| |
|
Back to Top |
| |
• |
Why do I not lose weight in spite of dieting? |
| |
|
Once you go on a low calorie diet, you lose weight initially, after which a plateau is reached. Further weight loss is either slow or no more. Frustration sets in, followed by discontinuation of the diet. You will gain more weight than before and the regained weight is only fat and not muscle mass. |
| |
|
Back to Top |
| |
• |
What is bariatric surgery? |
| |
|
Bariatric surgery is a group of surgeries which are performed to induce long term excess weight loss along with curing and/or improving most of the medical problems like diabetes, blood pressure, arthritis etc. |
| |
|
Back to Top |
| |
• |
Which Procedure is right for you? |
| |
|
The most important step in selecting a weight loss procedure is getting all the information you need about the various surgical options. Ultimately your surgeon, pulmonologist, cardiologist, nutritionist, endocrinologist, psychologist, and physician are your best resources for that information. After evaluating you, they can give their best recommendations. |
| |
|
Back to Top |
| |
• |
How does weight loss surgery help to reduce excess weight? |
| |
|
It will restrict or reduce the amount you can eat or it can cause you not to absorb all of the food you eat or it can be a combination of the two. |
| |
|
Back to Top |
| |
• |
How effective is weight loss surgery? |
| |
|
Depending on the type of surgery anywhere from 36% to 90% of your excess body weight (EBW) will be lost over a period of 6 months to two years. Clinical studies have shown that following surgery most patients lose weight rapidly and continue to do so up until 18 to 24 months after the procedure. However you will wake up from the surgery without weight loss. However, patients may lose 30 to 50 % of their excess weight in the first 6 months, and 77% as early as 12 months after surgery. Another study has shown that patients could maintain 50 – 60% loss of excess weight 10-14 years after surgery. |
| |
|
Back to Top |
| |
• |
How rapidly will I lose weight after the laparoscopic obesity surgery? |
| |
|
About 65-75% of the excess weight will be lost within the first year after gastric bypass surgery and the majority of that may occur within the first six months. The weight loss will taper, but can continue for the subsequent years. Some patients have achieved 100% loss of their excess weight. |
| |
|
Back to Top |
| |
• |
What is the expected hospital stay for the surgery? |
| |
|
Most patients stay in the hospital approximately 4 to 5 days after an open procedure and 2 to 3 days after a laparoscopic procedure. Patients will be discharged when they are able to tolerate liquids and nutrients by mouth to prevent dehydration, having adequate pain control with medications by mouth, and having no fever, vomiting, respiratory discomfort, excess drain output etc. |
| |
|
Back to Top |
| |
• |
How long will it take to recover from surgical procedure? |
| |
|
If the surgery is done by conventional open technique then it may take about six weeks, but if it is done laparoscopicaly it can take from about 10 days to two weeks. After such time most of the patients have resumed to a desk job. It may take a little longer if you want to do strenuous activity. |
| |
|
Back to Top |
| |
• |
What type of diet will be recommended after surgery? |
| |
|
The modifications made to your gastrointestinal tracts will require permanent changes in your eating habits that must be adhered to life-long for successful weight loss. Post surgery dietary guidelines will vary by surgeon, and type of surgical procedure. Some of the generally accepted dietary guidelines after weight loss surgery patient may encounter are as follows:
1. When eating solid food it is essential to chew it thoroughly.
2. Do not drink liquids while eating, but approximately thirty minutes after the meal.
3. Drink lots of fluids in between to keep yourself adequately hydrated.
4. Limit snacking between meals.
5. Eat your proteins first and then the vegetables.
|
| |
|
Back to Top |
| |
• |
What is life like, after surgery? |
| |
|
Over the years it has been observed that the patients who have undergone obesity surgery are satisfied with their decision and leading normal life with improved quality of life. Majority of the patients do not develop any serious side effects, their life will change and so will their health, hopefully, an improvement in both. You may be participating in more activities and getting more exercise. Don’t forget the clothes shopping. During your rapid weight loss period don’t purchase too many clothes because your size may change rapidly. |
| |
|
Back to Top |
| |
• |
When can I have children after the surgery? |
| |
|
The female patients are advised to wait at least two years after surgery to avoid the stress of a pregnancy during the period of rapid weight loss and allow her weight to stabilize. Please be careful to use birth control methods in the first 18 to 24 months. |
| |
|
Back to Top |
| |
• |
Will the complications due to my obesity go away after the surgery? |
| |
|
Yes, some of the complications will resolve and some will improve dramatically, like sleep apnea, asthma, hypertension and high cholesterol. In fact the Type II Diabetes will respond with 85-90% resolution and obesity surgery is now considered the best treatment for Type II diabetes. |
| |
|
Back to Top |
| |
|
