Busting Myths About Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery has long proven extremely helpful in assisting people who are obese shed pounds safely and effectively in a lasting manner. Even so, myths about these procedures, their effectiveness and safety persist. When the facts about bariatric surgery are understood, it becomes clear why these procedures are so strongly recommended for those who are severely overweight and may be experiencing obesity-related comorbidities.
Here are a few of the more common myths about bariatric surgery:
• Patients only lose weight because they cannot eat normally after surgery – This is absolutely not correct. While stomach holding capacity is diminished after such procedures and patients will feel fuller faster, normal diets can be maintained. In most cases, patients work very closely with nutritionists after surgery to ensure healthy, proper eating.
• Bariatric surgery is cosmetic – This is absolutely not so. This type of surgery is considered metabolic, not cosmetic. While it can produce tremendous results cosmetically, these procedures are designed to limit caloric intake while helping treat or prevent other related issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea.
• Weight loss surgery is dangerous – This type of surgery is no more risky that other procedures, such as gallbladder removal. Courtesy of today’s more advanced techniques, many bariatric surgeries now are considered minimally invasive.
• People regain the weight after surgery – While some patients do manage to regain lost weight, this is a significantly low percentage. Most bariatric surgery patients find the weight they lose stays off over time.
While bariatric surgery isn’t recommended for everyone, these procedures do provide an effective, safe way to shed pounds and keep them off. People who are obese are urged to discuss all weight loss options with their healthcare providers. A number of surgical techniques are now available, including several that are minimally invasive and also reversible. Shedding weight and keeping it off can help reduce risks associated with such conditions as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and even certain forms of cancer.
Here are a few of the more common myths about bariatric surgery:
• Patients only lose weight because they cannot eat normally after surgery – This is absolutely not correct. While stomach holding capacity is diminished after such procedures and patients will feel fuller faster, normal diets can be maintained. In most cases, patients work very closely with nutritionists after surgery to ensure healthy, proper eating.
• Bariatric surgery is cosmetic – This is absolutely not so. This type of surgery is considered metabolic, not cosmetic. While it can produce tremendous results cosmetically, these procedures are designed to limit caloric intake while helping treat or prevent other related issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea.
• Weight loss surgery is dangerous – This type of surgery is no more risky that other procedures, such as gallbladder removal. Courtesy of today’s more advanced techniques, many bariatric surgeries now are considered minimally invasive.
• People regain the weight after surgery – While some patients do manage to regain lost weight, this is a significantly low percentage. Most bariatric surgery patients find the weight they lose stays off over time.
While bariatric surgery isn’t recommended for everyone, these procedures do provide an effective, safe way to shed pounds and keep them off. People who are obese are urged to discuss all weight loss options with their healthcare providers. A number of surgical techniques are now available, including several that are minimally invasive and also reversible. Shedding weight and keeping it off can help reduce risks associated with such conditions as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and even certain forms of cancer.
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