If you knew that a small surgery could change or even save your life, would you get it?
The answer may seem obvious, but it’s not always the case with weight loss surgery. Less than 1% of her eligible candidates have gone through the procedure and can improve everything from blood pressure to joint pain.
So we asked Shelton Bariatric Surgeon Nicholas Dugan, M.D., to help clear up six common misconceptions about weight loss surgery that may be preventing you from living a healthy life.
1. Too dangerous
Bariatric surgery, once a more difficult procedure, has not fully reversed its previous bad reputation.
“In the past, bariatric surgery had a much higher complication rate, but we’ve made great strides in the last 15 years or so,” says Dr. Dugan.
In fact, complications today are ten times less than before thanks to minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopy and robotic surgery.
“The risk of serious complications is no higher these days than knee replacement or gallbladder surgery,” said Dr. Dugan.
Any surgery carries some risk, but in this case the greater risk may be not having the surgery.
> RELATED: 5 Tips To Start Your Weight Loss Journey Strongly
2. Or too painful
Minimally invasive techniques not only reduced risk, they also reduced pain.
“Bariatric surgery can be done with just a few incisions and you can go home the next day,” says Dr. Dugan.
Worried about losing your job? Most patients return to work within 5 to 10 of her days, depending on the severity of the job.
3. Cosmetic surgery
It got nerve-wracking. “To say bariatric surgery is cosmetic is inaccurate,” says Dr. Dugan. “For some, this is a life-saving procedure. It reduces the risk of premature death.”
The benefits are too numerous to count, but other health benefits include improvement or amelioration of:
- high blood pressure
- Diabetes
- cholesterol
- sleep apnea
- joint pain
- polycystic ovary syndrome
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4. Gain weight quickly
“While it is true that some patients lose most of their weight, long-term studies show that the average patient maintains 60-65% of their excess weight loss 10 years after surgery. It has been shown,” says Dr. Dugan.
If you’re worried about losing weight, Dr. Dugan shares these 5 tips.
- Maintain a normal diet of 3 meals a day and avoid grazing throughout the day
- Avoid processed foods.Instead, aim for solid, whole foods like chicken, fruits, and vegetables.
- Eat protein first, then fruits and vegetables, and finally carbohydrates such as rice or pasta
- maintain a stable and sustainable exercise routine
- Follow up with your surgeon annually at the first signs of weight regain
5. worthless
If you qualify for bariatric surgery, it’s worth it.
“The average weight loss for gastric bypass is 70 to 80 percent of a patient’s excess weight. Sleeve gastrectomy is closer to 50 to 70 percent, but the results are a little more variable,” says Dr. Dugan. increase.
Ideal candidates are those with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 40, or those with a BMI of 35-40 and comorbidities. The most common complications include hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea, and high cholesterol.
6. I didn’t make any money
Weight loss, or even weight gain, does not look the same for everyone. Some people have metabolic diseases such as insulin resistance or diabetes that can make weight loss difficult. Others have a genetic predisposition to weight gain that is difficult to overcome. It can be difficult.
In such cases, diet and exercise alone are not enough. “Some people can eat and exercise like everyone else, but they’ll never be the same weight. Surgery has proven to be the most effective weight loss treatment, and his over 50 years of experience back it up.” There is a study of
“Obesity is not a lifestyle choice, it is a disease,” he adds. No. The same applies to bariatric surgery.”