Surgery: A Weight Loss Plan for the Toughest Cases

Recently, a number of high-profile celebrities, from TV
weatherman Al Roker to American Idol’s Randy Jackson, have made
headlines as a result of undergoing weight loss surgery.
Supporters of such surgery say that it offers hope for people
who seem unable to lose weight any other way.

They maintain that it is difficult to lose 50 or more pounds
without surgical intervention. Critics, however, maintain that
surgery–especially stomach surgery–is risky business and
should be approached with the utmost caution. They worry that
surgery is a quick fix which does not help to resolve an
individual’s problem dealing with food.

You might wonder under what conditions surgery would be
recommended. Generally speaking, surgery is only an option for
those who have suffered from obesity for a protracted period of
time (meaning years), have a body mass index or BMI of more than
40, and whose lives could be cut short because of their
excessive weight gain. Also, stomach stapling surgery is usually
limited to those who have already reached adulthood.

Conversely, you would not be a candidate for stomach reduction
surgery if you have been severely overweight for a short period
of time; if you suffer from drug or alcohol addiction; or you
have been diagnosed with mental illness. In other words, you
need to be fully cognizant and have a detailed understanding of
the reasons for your obesity. You should know that stomach
reduction surgery is a proven weight-reducer. You could lose
nearly all of your extra weight by undergoing the procedure.
Thus, surgery may negate the need for a diet plan, although
there is the slim possibility that you could end up putting on
additional pounds after your operation. There are a myriad of
reasons why you might consider stomach stapling surgery. For
instance, if you are suffering from adult onset diabetes or
heart trouble, you might want to undergo the operation. If you
are so obese that you can barely walk, surgery might be for you.
If your weight has gotten to the point where you literally find
it difficult to get out of bed, an operation might be
appropriate.

Of course, stomach stapling surgery is not without its risks.
In less than two percent of the cases, death may occur. Also,
there is the possibility that after surgery you may experience
vomiting if you attempt to eat too much. And then there’s the
psychological fallout. If you’ve been a heavy person all your
life, you may have trouble adjusting to your new thin status.

You may even find that your relationships with relatives and
friends change after you have undergone surgery. As a result of
this, some physicians recommend that candidates for stomach
stapling surgery meet with a psychotherapist who can help them
develop coping mechanisms before and after the surgery.
Obviously, undergoing surgery is a serious step–one that should
not be undertaken lightly. As a result, you might want to ask
yourself some questions before going under the knife: Why do I
want to undergo surgery? What if I discover there are unexpected
side-effects from surgery? Will I be able to deal with them?
What are my options if I do not undergo surgery? Will my family
and friends support my decision to undergo an operation? Am I
considering surgery out of vanity, or because of a serious
health threat? Will years be added to my life after I undergo
surgery?

Of course, you cannot make the decision for stomach surgery on
your own. You will need to consult your family physician to
determine if an operation is right for you. If your doctor gives
the O.K., you will then have to meet with the surgeon. Make sure
to check the surgeon’s credentials and consider having a second
opinion. The more preparation you do before your operation, the
better off you will be. Obviously, stomach stapling surgery is
not for everyone.

It carries with it physical and emotional risks. However, the
prognosis for those who undergo such surgery is good. And you
could end up being in much better health in the long run, if you
are able to successfully lose your excess weight.

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