With the number of obese people on the rise every day, there are an increasing number of people who are taking dramatic steps to help them lose weight. Bariatric surgery is a major surgery that is only undertaken when a patient is morbidly obese, and will ideally only be performed on patients who have a sincere commitment to bariatric surgery weight loss. In the first year following bariatric surgery, many patients will experience drastic weight loss, often half of their overall body weight or more. While successes are frequent, there may also be some failures.
When It Works
Bariatric surgery is typically very successful in most patients, especially for the first 1 to 2 years after the surgery. The primary reason that so many patients are able to achieve the weight loss they need; bariatric surgery significantly reduces the overall size of the stomach. Following bariatric surgery, the stomach is reduced to such a small size that it will only hold around 2 to 6 ounces of food or liquid at any given time. Extra food will cause either severe stomach pain or the syndrome called "dumping," where the food enters the lower part of the small intestine too quickly and can make a patient become dizzy, nauseated, or have a variety of uncomfortable gastric symptoms. Since eating extra food can often cause such difficult and uncomfortable reactions, many patients find it easier to avoid overeating, and thus are able to achieve and maintain weight loss more easily after bariatric surgery.
Another way that bariatric surgery works well to help patients realize and maintain their weight loss is by limiting the types of foods that can be eaten. After the surgery, patients are limited to a liquid diet for several weeks, and then will need to follow a bland diet of pureed foods for several months. The necessary reduction in calories that accompanies such a diet will help patients to achieve quick weight loss.
Long term, patients will not be able to eat foods that are sugary, fatty, greasy or high in carbohydrates because these foods may cause gastric distress. The stomach pain that may accompany the ingestion of such foods functions as a deterrent for many patients, and helps them to avoid eating the type of foods that encourage weight gain. Patients who exercise regularly, at least 3 times weekly for about 30 minutes, will find it much easier to keep losing weight, and to maintain their weight loss once achieved.
When It Doesn't Work
Bariatric surgery may not be appropriate for all patients. Before any patient undergoes bariatric surgery, it is important that they discuss their expectations with their doctor, and that they understand the process. Patients who make a commitment to eating properly, exercising regularly, and following the instructions of the doctor will be successful with their bariatric surgery. Patients who undergo bariatric surgery and then immediately return to their old eating habits are unlikely to be successful long term. While the stomach has been reduced significantly in size, it can be stretched out with persistent overeating. Patients who choose not to exercise are also far less likely to find success with bariatric surgery.
Patients who are serious about making a major lifestyle change, and who are willing to work hard at losing the weight, may be good candidates for bariatric surgery. When a patient makes a firm commitment to their own success, they are likely to find that bariatric surgery will work very well for them.
