Did you know that bariatric surgery is the best choice for weight loss? Studies show that people who undergo this obesity surgery lose about 50% more weight than those who go with diet and exercise alone. But before you make your decision, here are some surprising facts to consider.
1. Bariatric surgery is not considered cosmetic
The most common type of Bariatric Surgery in Baltimore is Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). A BMI over 40 or a BMI over 35 with an obesity-related disease means patients are eligible for weight loss surgery in the United States.
Many people believe that RYGB is a cosmetic procedure, but it’s actually not. This surgery can help morbidly obese people lose weight and regain their health.
2. Bariatric surgery does not cure diabetes
Bariatric surgery may be an option for morbidly obese people with type 2 diabetes, but it doesn’t cure the disease. At least 50 percent of patients must have a significant amount of weight loss before they see any improvement in their blood sugar levels.
After bariatric surgery, some diabetic patients eventually may need to take insulin again. However, Bariatric surgery often improves high blood pressure.
3. Men and women experience weight loss surgery differently
Weight loss surgery in men is much different than in women. Men’s bodies respond better to a vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG). The VBG procedure doesn’t work as well for women because their bodies respond better to RYGB, a procedure that reduces the size of the stomach and bypasses a portion of the small intestine.
In women, RYGB surgery helps manage diabetes better than VBG surgery does. Although men see greater weight loss results from VBG surgery, they also have more weight regain after five years when compared to women’s results with RYGB surgery.
4. The success of bariatric surgery is all about the patient’s motivation
To lose weight and keep it off, patients need to make lifestyle changes. Weight loss surgery can help make those changes easier because it reduces hunger during the first weeks after surgery. Patients should be motivated to exercise and eat healthy foods — no matter how much weight they had from their surgery.
Youi may also like to read: Types of Weight Loss Surgery You Must Know.
5. The Roux limb can cause calcium loss
The biggest risk for people deciding to have bariatric surgery is the potential of losing too much weight, called malnourishment. The small intestine changes after RYGB surgery, so patients get fewer nutrients from food than they did before surgery.
This malnutrition usually doesn’t show itself in weight loss, but it can cause bone loss, called osteoporosis, because of calcium deficiency.
Hope this article was informative and you got to know something new about bariatric surgery as a procedure.