When Bariatric Surgery Fails

Is weight loss surgery safe and right for me?

Weight loss surgery seems like a fast and easy way to overcome the little problem of excessive poundage without needing the discipline to drop those pounds. We’ve heard lots of success stories of people who lost weight, so why shouldn’t you get weight loss surgery?

The problem isn't if you lose weight, you will. It's the long-term effects of the weight loss surgery we worry about. Nearly 100% of people who get obesity surgery have problems. Almost 70% will gain the weight back.

Bariatric surgery also has specific qualifications you have to meet before you can go under the knife. There are physical and psychological evaluations, plus you have to start losing weight on your own. However, none of those prepares you for the biggest problem with gastric surgery: the permanent, life-altering restricted eating.

How To Choose The Best Weight Loss Surgery For You

The weight loss surgery options fall under three broad categories. Some of them are safer than others, but there is no safest weight loss surgery because they all involve significant risk, both immediately and in the long-term.

Most people choosing weight loss surgery experience nutritional deficiencies and fatigue. Unless you follow a strict diet without mistakes, you cannot ingest enough food to adequately absorb all the nutrients you need.

On top of that, indigestion and reflux are very common side effects. Most doctors prescribe reflux medication automatically because it’s so common. And because your body can’t digest food properly anymore, expect flatulence, constipation, and diarrhea.

Psychological side effects abound. People enjoy eating; and nearly every party, get together, and celebration involves food.

Imagine going to a summer party or family birthday. There’s cake, cookies, plates of entrees, fruit, and desserts galore. After having surgery, you can’t eat this food – at all.

You must control the quantity and quality of what you eat, and this can leave you miserable.

Let’s look at the two main types of weight loss surgery:

• Gastric Bypass Surgery or Stomach Reduction

In this type of weight loss surgery, the surgeon removes part of the stomach, partitions off a section of the stomach, or redirects a section of the intestine to prevent the body from absorbing nutrients and calories. Main problem: nutritional deficiencies.

• Sleeves and Bands

There are several types of sleeves and bands that a surgeon may put around the stomach or a section of the intestine. These bands prevent the stomach from expanding fully, forcing a person to feel full long before an adequate amount of food can be consumed. Main problem: never feeling satisfied.

The Safe and Permanent Weight Loss (and why doctors have you do it before you can get surgery)

Fortunately, the same discipline you must have before surgery can be used for real, long-lasting weight loss. This type of weight loss relies on proper nutrients at the proper time.

Each person has an ideal weight and body shape that is best for them. Some people can be very skinny and healthy, while others are at their perfect weight and look a little bit bigger. It depends on a person's genetic history and body structure.

We take a look at what foods are right for your body. Some people do very well eating a strict vegetarian diet, while others need meat, grains, or fruit. Certain supplements help give a boost to repair and rejuvenate.

That's why the Custom Health Center’s programs are designed with nutrition first. No guesswork about which supplements to take, what foods to eat, for what exercise you need. We do that for you.

When you choose self-discipline and the proper nutrition for your body, those parties and celebrations are doable. You're able to enjoy the treats, knowing you made the right choice. You can have fun, eat good food, and lose weight easily.

Once you learn what your body needs, you can give that to your body for the rest of your life and remain trim, fit, and healthy.

3 Long Lasting Weight Loss Tips

Here's a little taste of what's in the program.

1. More fruits and vegetables - most people don't eat enough fruits and vegetables. Increasing the number of veggies you eat during the day will automatically help you to lose weight.
2. Water and hydration - soda, juice, and additives like creamers and artificial flavoring all cause weight gain without any benefits. Switching to water will help you be healthier and help you lose weight.
3. Get out and move - a sedentary life in front of the computer or television screen causes long-term health problems. Backaches, obesity, and breathing problems may come from sitting too long.

You also need to supplement correctly. A multivitamin doesn't cut it. What you need is a customized plan for nutrients your body needs right now. One of the first steps in our program is evaluating your nutritional needs and get you the right supplements at the right quantity. This saves you money and time when getting healthy.

Give it a try. Call one of our centers and will get you scheduled for a free consultation.

Dr. Jason Olafsson D.C.