The surgery is over. Two hours have passed since the gas came on, since they put you under and your weight loss surgery procedure began. Now the wounds are sewn shut, the bandages in place ? and you awaken in an ordinary hospital room. Recovery time has begun. And naturally, you want it to take place as quickly as possible. Yes, bariatric surgery is major surgery, but there's no reason not to try reducing recovery time after weight loss surgery as much as a safety allows. It turns out that there's a method to speeding healing after weight loss surgery, and it begins in the recovery room. You may feel some discomfort. Pain meds will help, but surgery is traumatic ? someone's just cut holes in you, after all! ? and with trauma comes a certain unavoidable amount of pain. It's likely, however, that you're tough enough to endure whatever discomfort you have to; after all, if you weren't tough, you'd likely never have made it this far. Acknowledge the pain, yes, listen to what it's telling you ? but don't let it rule you. You have more important business. Moving after Surgery The first order of which is mobility. You may be surprised at the level of mobility you're allowed ? most nurses will insist that you sit up in a chair or walk a bit (with help, of course) just a few hours after surgery. You may worry about ripping open your wounds, but don't; they're stitched tight, and, barring a sudden urge for power lifting or shot put, you're not likely to want to do the sort of things you'd have to do in order to reopen them. ?The reason we want patients up and moving after weight loss surgery is to prevent a serious complication, like a blod clot,? explains Dr. David Provost, a bariatric surgeon in Denton, Texas. If you lie about in bed immediately after surgery any more than absolutely necessary, you're at risk of developing blood clots near your wounds -- clots that can be washed into the bloodstream and cause strokes or heart attacks. So it's up you go, with your IV bottle at your side. Forming New Eating Habits Next comes eating. You have to eat, although the idea may be unappealing. Your doctor and care team will draw up a diet for you to follow while in the hospital. Follow it. Sure, you may not be hungry, and hospital food seldom tempts the palate, but your body needs the nutrition and water food provides ? so eat. After a few days, your doctor will issue you a set of dietary instructions, and discharge you. From then on it it's up to you to make sure you're eating right. Follow the dietary instructions and you can't go wrong. If you're on medication for other diseases (e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.) follow your doctor's instructions about doses and schedules to the letter. Joining a Support Network One of the most important things you can do to speed healing after weight loss surgery is to join and participate in a weight loss surgery support group. These groups, often led by a registered dietitian, provide you with the information, advice, and fellowship you'll need to make a successful, permanent transition to good health. ?Participating in regular support group meetings is probably one of the most important things a patient can do to promote their weight loss and stay on track toward success,? says Dr. Provost, who has more than 20 years? experience in bariatric surgery. Dr. Provost sees patients desiring weight loss surgery in Lewisville, Frisco, Plano, and other cities in the Dallas Metroplex, and holds twice-monthly support group meetings at his practice to ensure that his patients have a local resource they can turn to for guidance and encouragement. Regardless of where you are located, be sure to ask your surgeon's care team to set you up with a group in your area ? get involved! Lastly, at about four weeks after your surgery, you'll visit a clinical dietician to assess your nutritional state and overall health. Unless you've had problems related to eating or digesting food, odds are that he or she will give you a clean bill of health ? and you're ready to start the daily routine of your new life.
There is a lot to think about if you're considering surgery for weight loss. If you have been watching your weight go up and you are worried about the rising pounds, you may be wondering whether weight loss surgery really works. Is it possible to prevent future weight gain by putting yourself on a well-known weight loss surgical operation?
Today, weight loss surgeries are gradually gaining recognition when it comes to losing weight. Many health experts contend that people who are excessively overweight or has slower metabolism would normally require some surgical operations.
Surgery at Present
The greatest progress in the care of the surgical patient has taken place since the beginning of the present century. An increasing knowledge of disease and disorder as a result of research has permitted the development of many diagnostic aids. Some of these depend upon roentgenograms, laboratory procedures such as chemical, bacteriologic, and pathologic determinations, as well as monitoring devices and computer aids.
Hence, the result is that the diagnosis of disease and disorder is made with more exactness and certainty than was possible from the simple clinical examinations of previous days.
That is why people who wish to undergo weight loss surgery should no longer be afraid of the procedure because high clinical standards are now being implemented in every surgical operation.
The Concept of Weight Loss Surgery
Health experts contend that weight loss surgery is a “major surgery." One of the most common reasons why people would like to lose weight is to enhance their physical attributes. However, it should not be the underlying motivation that they should undergo the process of weight loss surgery.
What people do not know is that weight loss surgery is especially generated to help obese people live longer, healthier, and better.
That is why it is important for an individual to meticulously analyze his or her situation, do some research about the process, and analyze if weight loss surgery is the ultimate choice for his or her physiological condition.
Moreover, it is important to gather further information about weight loss surgery by consulting an experienced and knowledgeable bariatric surgeon or even just an expert family physician who knows the ins and outs of weight loss surgery.
In addition, the patient should also consult the other health experts such as the psychiatrist and dietician with regards to some psychological advices on long-term goals after the operation.
Generally, patients who have undergone weight loss surgery are said to be successful if they were able to lose 50% or more of their extra body weight and will be able to maintain that condition for the next five years or so. However, the results of the operation may still vary depending on the clinical information of the patient and the skills of the bariatric surgeon.
Normally, the patient will be able to lose at least 30% to a maximum of 50% during the first six months after surgery; and within the year after the operation, the patient has the potential of losing weight up to a maximum of 77%.
Best of all, people who were able to loss weight through surgical operations can actually maintain a continuous weight loss of up to 50% to 60% in the next 10 to 14 years after surgery.
Factors to Consider
As with the other weight loss management programs, there are many factors to consider before the patient should decide to undergo weight loss surgery.
Consequently, the actual weight that will be lost is reliant on the weight before surgery, surgical procedure, patient’s age, capability to exercise, total health condition of the patient, dogged determination to maintain the necessary follow-up nurture, and the enthusiasm to succeed with the help of their family, friends, and their colleagues.
If you have just put on a few extra pounds and want to avoid gaining more, these weight loss surgeries for better health may seem convincing. But, in addition to being convinced, you may also have to take some action to ensure that your weight does not creep upward.
Therefore, it can be concluded that losing weight is not just a question of deciding to be strong-willed and determined or upbeat and positive. Lifestyle changes are where it is at for long-term success with your weight especially after weight loss surgery.
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Both Dr. David Provost 1 & Lamarion "la" Ziegler are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Dr. David Provost 1 has sinced written about articles on various topics from Weight Loss Surgery. Dr. David Provost is one of the nation's most respected bariatric surgeons and has a practice in Denton, Texas. He sees patients desiring