I Just Had Weight Loss Surgery …Now What?
Monterrey, Mexico, April 14, 2010
What many people think of as a quick solution to obesity takes them to a whole new playing field and like all games you must abide by the rules. When such rules are followed, the result is a long, healthy and happy life, but a wrong decision could lead to a new set of problems. Patients will have to make changes, starting with small ones such as walking 20 minutes a day or staying away from fast food. But having a strategy is half the battle, so make a plan and stick to it. Keep in mind that each operation is unique, and so will be the changes in your lifestyle.
After bariatric surgery all operations follow a general guideline, to avoid strains or tearing of the stomach during the first stage of rehab. Any extreme temperatures like hot tubs and Jacuzzis or are to be strictly avoided as well as any form of heavy exercise except walking for the first month and a half. During the first week most patients are allowed only a liquid diet and then a soft diet kick in for the rest of the month. Patients usually get full with 2-3 tablespoons at first, and over the next 6-9 months the stomach will stretch naturally. It is important to stop eating when satisfied, or patients will overstretch the stomach and probably feel nauseous. Additionally, each operation has its own unique restrictions and way of working.
The Gastric Band is designed for big eaters; it literally restricts the amount of food that can pass at any given time by molding the stomach into an hourglass shape. The first and most noticeable change will be in the quantity of food consumed and will only allow for smaller portions. Food will have to be cut into smaller pieces and patients will have to chew more to avoid blockage or obstruction. All people who get this operation will require fills; these are injections of distilled water into the band that will adjust its pressure. Most patients require at least a second visit to the doctor in order to make this adjustment, which regulates the amount of food that passes. If the patient is a sweet eater, he or she must also commit to cut back on sugar, especially in liquid form because it contains huge amounts of calories that will slow down weight loss. Yet overall, the gastric band is the most forgiving of the three when it comes to changes in diet, overall healthy eating habits tend to be enough for most people.
The Gastric By-Pass is more invasive and designed to alter how you consume food. This procedure will set aside a very important section of the digestive system called the duodenum. This part of the small intestine is responsible for absorbing a large part of the intake of vitamins and minerals like iron and calcium. Patients can prevent malnutrition by taking multivitamins and B12 every day and drinking lots of water (but none during meals). Another important thing to limit is the person’s consumption of alcohol, coffee, soda, and acidic products for these can lead to digestive irritation. The Gastric Bypass may be tough at first but once these changes are made into habits it’s been proven to be one of the most efficient methods of weight loss.
The Gastric Sleeve is the stapling of the rounded part of the stomach, thus reducing its size up to 15% of its original size. As a result, the amount of food that can be consumed is drastically reduced. Eating big portions will cause nausea and stomach stretching, so it is recommended that patients with a gastric sleeve consume many small meals during the day. The body will not be able to digest completely, so some nutrients are absorbed poorly, thus multivitamins and some supplements will be essential in a new and healthy lifestyle. Similar as in gastric by-pass, alcohol and coffee should be taken in moderation. Introduced after the other two surgeries had been around for a while, the Gastric Sleeve has become very common given its affordable price tag and similar results to the By-Pass.
As it can be easily perceived, every operation has its own unique set of limitations. Embracing these changes will set bariatric patients on track to a new life. In all of them, exercise and healthy eating habits will also play a pivotal role in successful weight loss and wellness. Bariatric surgery is an important decision and so is the choice to embrace the challenges that follow.
Travel For Care is an innovative Medical Travel start-up firm headquartered in Monterrey, Mexico, marketing Medical Solutions to American patients looking for elective and non-elective procedures. For more information, please visit www.travelforcare.com
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