Thinking of a Gastric Bypass Surgery? Here’s What You Need to Know
Bariatric surgery is a variety of surgery performed on a patient’s stomach and intestines to limit the amount of food they can consume, which prevents them from putting on and assists them in losing weight. The two principal types of bariatric surgery are gastric bypass and gastric banding. Banding is reversible and involves the insertion of a band to restrict the opening of the oesophagus into the stomach. Bypass, on the other hand, is a permanent procedure, creating a small pouch out of the proximity of the stomach and attaching such that it bypasses two feet of intestine. Both the size of the pouch and that of its opening into the intestine limit the food intake. Here are some things you should know about bariatric surgery. Avail an effective gastric bypass surgery in a reliable clinic in Victoria.
Are You Eligible?
You are eligible for bariatric surgery if you have a BMI (Body Mass Index) over 40, meaning you suffer from extreme obesity. It is a last-resort for people who have tried and failed repeatedly at all possible other weight-loss options like exercise and dieting. You may also be considered if your BMI is in the 35-40 range and you suffer from heart disease, type 2 diabetes or other serious issues. At the same time, serious lung or heart conditions might disqualify you.
Psychological screening is also conducted to weed out candidates for surgery. If you suffer from depression or other mental health issues, you may not be considered because it is important that you know what you are signing up for, and also realize that you must commit to a whole new life after. Health insurance providers have a whole other set of qualifying factors for covering the expenses, which are fairly hefty.
Keep Realistic Expectations
You need to understand this is a serious surgery but isn’t a miracle. Most patients successfully lose anywhere between 60 to 75% of their excess body weight after undergoing bariatric surgery, but there are around 1/4th of all cases where the patients regain weight by still eating a lot and stretching the pouch after the bypass. The extreme weight loss over a short time will have other side effects like fat pockets or excess skin which you would need to correct through plastic surgery. Contact a qualified doctor in Victoria for a successful gastric bypass surgery.
Everything Changes
The gastric bypass surgery isn’t a magic treatment after which you can fall back into your old lifestyle with ease. You will need to make significant changes to accommodate the changes to your body, starting with a radically different diet and also taking nutritional supplements. Instead of isolated large meals, you will need to eat small portions throughout the day. You will have to quit smoking and also start working out before the surgery.
Know the Risks
New-age surgical procedures have introduced laparoscopy into bariatric surgery that greatly reduces complications. Even so, 1% of gastric bypass patients died due to post-procedure complications. If you don’t follow a proper diet and see a nutritionist from time to time, you could develop serious nutritional deficits, causing anaemia, osteoporosis and other issues. Speak to a doctor for as long as you need before making the decision. Get your gastric bypass done in a renowned clinic based in Victoria.