Weight gain is a growing problem, no pun intended, and as with any problem, there are people who are trying to find some magic to make the problem go away. There is no easy weight loss plan, unfortunately. Diet and exercise are the easiest methods, which are quite difficult to follow for many people. A doctor may also prescribe or recommend weight loss pills. It’s just not enough for those who have more serious obesity issues. These people often turn to weight loss surgery as a step toward ending a lifelong struggle with obesity.
Millions of people start diets each year, both recommended by a doctor and recommended by family and friends. Others start fad diets that crop up every year. Whatever the case, most people who start diets can’t finish them or find that the diets don’t quite work as advertised. Those first few pounds aren’t terribly difficult, but maintaining the diet and keeping the pounds off is harder than it sounds. Unfortunately, the first few pounds lost on a diet plan are simply water weight. It takes time for a slow metabolism to kickstart and actually burn fat.
It is a harsh truth that being overweight means waiting longer to see the results of any diet. This can obviously lead to crushing frustration. Lots of ads claim powerful results and anecdotal examples of people losing twenty pounds in a week. The pills promise that you can lose weight without changing your diet or spending a single moment on exercise. No matter how great it would be if it were possible, the fact is that nothing can easily remove excess weight from the human body. Every time someone tries one of these fights and it fails, it’s another defeat and another step toward giving up on the dream of a healthy lifestyle for good.
Losing weight permanently requires commitment and determination. It is a long and arduous journey that is bound to have some slips and stumbles along the way. The journey will not only be physical but also mental and all journeys begin with the first step. In this case, the first step is to understand how serious obesity is.
obesity in the united states
In the United States alone, about two-thirds of people who have a BMI greater than 25 are considered overweight, with nearly half of those classified as obese having a BMI greater than 30. The list of complications caused by obesity is many, including arthritis, cardiovascular difficulties, diabetes, high blood pressure, and even some types of cancer. An obese person can have a much shorter life expectancy than other people who are underweight because the problems and diseases listed above are more likely to be fatal. Weight loss surgery is often not possible on people who are very heavy because the risks are so high that it may be unacceptable.
Who is eligible for surgery?
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is the most common type of weight loss surgery. The patient must meet these criteria before being recommended for this procedure:
– BMI greater than 39
Some life-threatening weight-related conditions
– More than five years in the obese state
– no problem with alcohol
– no ongoing treatment for depression or other major mental disorders
Age between eighteen to sixty five years
There are other types of surgery, such as sleeve gastrectomy, for people with extremely high BMI who may not qualify for the normal type of surgery. This type of surgery is only the first step. Once enough weight has been lost, a second surgery is performed, which will convert the sleeve gastrectomy into one of the more traditional gastric bypass surgeries.
life after gastric bypass surgery
Emotional support is an important part of the recovery process. Even before surgery, you should arrange meetings with a support group with members who know what you’re going through. You will also need nutritional guidance as everything related to food in your life will change completely. Surgery will reduce the size of your stomach because food bypasses the small intestine. You’ll need far less food to feel full and you’ll have less ability to absorb nutrition. This makes supplements absolutely necessary. Anemia is very common after surgery, with approximately fifty percent of patients lacking the necessary levels of vitamin B-12 and iron.
You’ll only be able to consume two or three ounces at a time, but that doesn’t change the fact that your body needs what are known as three macronutrients: protein, carbohydrates and fat. You’ll also need micronutrients like vitamins and minerals. Protein supplements often come with added nutrients, but choose them carefully. The small capacity of the stomach means that everything you eat has to be counted. Many protein supplements come in forms too large for the post-surgery patient to handle.
What’s the Big Deal With Protein Anyway?
No matter who you are, protein is essential to your continued health. Consuming too much protein can lead to problems, but too little protein can also be dangerous to your health. Finding the right balance is important, especially after gastric bypass surgery. Proteins have several roles:
– Makes you feel full, so you eat less.
– It helps with recovery after surgery, including reducing your scar and increasing your strength so you can exercise.
– A good amount can be packed in a small bite so that you can get enough for your daily requirement.
Protein is needed in many important bodily processes, including the central nervous system, your immunity against disease, and your digestive system.
Source by Jim Duffy
