Weight loss surgery is a big step to take, but if you’re obese it could make all the difference to your wellbeing. It is estimated that over 300,000 deaths occur each year from weight-related wellness problems, and according to one study, your obesity or morbid obesity means you are at a 12-times higher risk of death.
But why should you get surgery, as opposed to sticking to a healthy, low-calorie diet and regular exercise regime? Though this is the first point of call for anyone who is overweight, and even after surgery this is vital, natural weight loss is more difficult the bigger you are, and you may have a genetic predisposition to obesity that you have to fight against. It’s hard to lose weight naturally, especially if your BMI is over 35, and bariatric or weight loss surgery has been proven to help you maintain these changes. With bariatric surgery, you can also fight against a whole host of weight-related diseases and complications, such as diabetes, sleep apnoea, heart conditions, high blood pressure and severe arthritis.
When it comes to the surgery itself, there are many different procedures to choose from. You could have an adjustable gastric band fitted, a gastric bypass, vertical sleeve gastronomy or a biliopancreatic diversion. Mainly due to human psychology, none of these procedures have been perfected and there are potential side effects, as there are with any surgical procedure, but these are often minimal.
You could consider bariatric surgery if your BMI is over 40, or you’re 100 pounds over your ideal weight. Even if your BMI is 35, you could still be a surgical candidate as long as you have obesity-related health problems. You should also have tried dieting under medical supervision, with no success, and be aware of the risks and rewards of surgery, as well as the lifestyle changes you’ll need to make before and after the procedure. If any of these already, or could apply to you, look online or consult your GP or a medical health professional for more information. You never know, it could mean the change of your lifetime.
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