Weight-Loss Surgery - Find Out If You Are a Good Candidate

Today, a growing number of obese people are opting for weight-loss surgery procedures, as a sure shot way to lose fat quickly and say hello to life.

But, is everyone a candidate for weight-loss surgery? The answer is No. Not everyone who is overweight is an acceptable candidate for weight-loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery or obesity surgery.

Surgical procedures for weight reduction are intended for people who are severely obese. The surgical interventions to lose unwanted bulges work by reducing intake of food and absorption of calories.

As defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), a person is considered overweight and obese if he or she has accumulated abnormal or excessive fat in the body, to an extent that may negatively affect overall health.

Body mass index is a measurement of body fat based on an individual's weight and height. It is commonly used to classify overweight and obesity in adults. While a person with a BMI greater than or equal to 30 is generally considered obese, a BMI equal to or more than 25 is considered overweight. A person is considered morbidly obese if he or she has a BMI greater than 40.

Being overweight or obese may not only lower your self-esteem but can increase your risk of cardiovascular diseases (mainly heart disease and stroke), diabetes and cancers.

Bariatric surgery is currently the only effective therapy for morbid obesity, meaning a person must have a BMI of 40 or higher to qualify for obesity surgery.

While only a professional, qualified bariatric physician or surgeon can suggest you if you are a good candidate for weight-loss surgery, there are general guidelines that most surgeons and insurance companies adhere to when recommending surgical obesity treatment to obese patients.

Getting weight-loss surgery is a major, life-changing decision and it could be an option for you if your efforts to shed those extra pounds with conventional, non-surgical measures like strict diet and regular physical exercise have been unsuccessful.

A surgical intervention is considered appropriate for you if you have failed to remove the weight naturally using traditional methods of losing fat or maintain adequate clinically beneficial body weight for at least 6 months.

You should be considered for surgical interventions for your weight issues if your body mass index is 40 or higher (severe obesity). You can be an appropriate candidate for surgery if your BMI is 35 to 39.9 (obesity), and you have any serious weight-related health problem, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or severe sleep apnea.

In some cases, specific type of weight-loss surgery may also be worthwhile for those whose BMI exceeds 30 and are at risk of developing life-threatening diseases because of their weight.

Also, you can be considered for surgical obesity treatment if you are suffering from obesity caused by genetic factors.

When it comes to weight-loss surgery, age matters a lot. People between 18 and 65 years are good candidates for weight reduction surgery. In some cases, adolescents under the age of 18 can be considered potential bariatric surgery candidates - depending on their weight, height and risks associated to their overall health such as diabetes, sleep apnea, heart problems, and psychological problems.

Although the above mentioned guidelines are sufficient to identify the potential candidates for bariatric surgery, your situation still needs to be carefully evaluated by your doctor before determining if you are a candidate for weight-loss surgery.

If you are morbidly obese and considering undergoing the knife to get rid of that ugly unwanted body fat, consulting a qualified doctor or surgeon before zeroing down on any weight-loss treatment is always a wise idea. Your doctor can better assess your situation and tell you if any surgical treatment for morbid obesity is an option for you.

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What To Expect After A Surgical Weight Loss Procedure

For people who are obese, or severely overweight, going to fitness centers may not give them their desired results of having a small body. A diet program or weight loss medication may not work for them either, and this is why they may opt for surgery to achieve their desired body weight. Gastric bypass surgery enables one to lose weight by reducing the amount of food he/she takes. The procedure ensures that the stomach is smaller, causing one to feel full just upon eating a small amount of food. Since fewer nutrients are absorbed, one experiences weight loss almost immediately.

There are different ways to administer this procedure, one being the Roux-en-y gastric bypass surgery, which involves the creation of a" new stomach". Normally during digestion, food is absorbed in the small intestines and here, the nutrients are absorbed, then the rest is waste, which is excreted through the large intestines. With this surgery, the new stomach pouch is attached directly to the small intestines, in the middle area called the jejunum. This means that the surgeon will bypass the entire duodenum.

· After surgery pains

This surgery is of great help if you really need to lose weight. However, it is a long journey through recovery for your body to adapt to the new way of functioning. After the surgery, you are likely to suffer some belly pain, but this can be taken care of by painkillers, administered during the first week after the surgery. You may also experience dumping syndrome as the gastric bypass surgery makes your stomach small and hence food gets in and out very quickly for the first few days. This may cause diarrhea and major nausea.

· Watching your diet

You will be guided on what to eat, especially immediately after surgery. Since your stomach is sore at that time, it needs a proper environment for healing. Therefore, a small intake of soft foods is advised. Water is of essence during this time to ensure that you are not dehydrated. Water is also good at this time as it aids with the bowel movements. You should try as much not to strain with bowel movements.

With time, you will be able to eat more solid foods. However, you have to be careful while eating, ensuring that you chew properly, to avoid feeling nauseated. The stomach is a flexible organ, capable of stretching. Therefore, you should avoid high calorie drinks such as sodas. Also, avoid over eating as this may stretch your stomach, leading you to gain the weight you paid so much to lose.

With a gastric bypass surgery, you may experience a deficiency in some of the vitamins and minerals that are absorbed faster than others are. You will need to watch on your calcium, iron vitamins and magnesium, as they are easily absorbed.

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Sex After Weight Loss Surgery - When is it Okay?

People recovering from bariatric surgery for the treatment of morbid obesity often look forward to a healthy sex life that may have alluded them due poor health associated with obesity or simply the mechanics of sexual activity with a morbidly obese body. Surgeons are frequently asked how soon a patient will be able to enjoy sexual intimacy following bariatric surgery.

Bariatric surgery, although less invasive than it was 20 years ago, is still considered major abdominal surgery. Most of the commonly performed procedures including gastric bypass, adjustable gastric-banding (lap-band), and gastric sleeve, are done using the advanced laparoscopic method of surgery. Laparoscopic gastric surgeries reduce risk to patients and decrease hospital stays over the traditional open methods of surgery. This improves the rate of recovery from surgery. The minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures are performed by surgeons inserting cameras and instruments through small incision ports in the abdomen. While there is no large wound that requires healing, there is unseen internal bruising that will require time to heal.

Most doctors will advise their patients to avoid sexual activity for the first few weeks following surgery. The physical stress of surgery may rupture sutures or tear incisions and prolong healing. Patients should ask their surgeon when it will be appropriate to engage in sexual activity following surgery. It makes sense to think of sex as form of exercise: If your doctor clears you for physical activity, you are also likely safe for sexual activity.

Women who have recently undergone bariatric surgery are advised to practice a reliable form of birth control, even if they have been unable to conceive in the recent past. Pregnancy during the rapid phase of weight loss is not desired as both the mother and the fetus may suffer nutritional deficiencies. Most bariatric centers advise female patients to wait until weight loss has stabilized before attempting to become pregnant.

Patients are likely to proceed cautiously as they engage in sexual intimacy following major surgery. While focus should be on enjoying the moment with your partner it is wise to be aware of your body and listen to any warning signs it may be sending. Symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, or dizziness are warnings to slow down what you are doing, whether you are a man or woman. The pain may be attributed to angina, which is temporary pain or pressure in the chest when the heart does not get enough oxygen. If that is the case changing positions or taking a moment for rest may be beneficial. Prolonged or acute pain should not be ignored and medical attention should be sought immediately.

Sex is obviously part of an overall healthy life and something most people look forward to as they recover from significant illness, including morbid obesity. As weight is lost it is likely sexual activity and the desire for sexual activity will increase. On a basal level, an active sex life is a statement of good health: it says positive things about your overall level of fitness and your recovery from morbid obesity. It also may be sign of healthy relationships, another good measure of overall health.

Patients should always seek the advice of their doctors regarding sexual health. Sexual issues are important to discuss even if such a discussion tests our comfort level when we bring our concerns to our physician. Keep in mind your doctor is in the business of taking care of your health and that includes your sexual wellness; you cannot surprise your physician by voicing your most personal concerns about your sexual health.

We often say that weight loss surgery is our second chance at living and most would agree that a healthy sex life brings a satisfying component to our ongoing pursuit of health and wellness. Having realistic expectations for recovery is the first step in creating a healthy sex life following weight loss surgery.

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