Things To Know About Getting Weight Loss Surgery

Health & Medical Blog

If your weight keeps creeping up and you can't seem to control it, then weight loss surgery might be your best option. Losing weight isn't always as easy as sticking to a diet, especially if you have problems with your metabolism or emotional issues that cause you to overeat. Staying overweight or gradually gaining can lead to a greater risk of developing serious health problems such as heart disease and diabetes, and you could even become bedridden when you can no longer walk. Here are some things to know about getting weight loss surgery.

The Process Takes Time

You probably won't be able to go to the doctor and get weight loss surgery scheduled right away. There could be a long qualifying process you have to go through that includes losing a certain amount of weight first. It may be several months before you can have the surgery, so you don't want to delay setting up your initial appointment.

Health Issues May Need To Be Addressed First

If you're very overweight, you might have health issues that keep you from being a good candidate for weight loss surgery. You might even have a hard time finding a doctor to do your surgery if you're past a certain weight limit. Instead, your doctor may put you on a strict diet first so you lose weight quickly in the months leading up to the surgery. The drop in weight can help qualify you for surgery while improving your health conditions.

By being in your best health, you'll tolerate the surgery better and have a lower risk of complications. Being able to lose weight also shows your doctor and insurance company you can stick to a diet so your chances of losing weight and keeping it off after surgery are good.

Counseling May Be Required

Your insurance company or your doctor might require that you undergo counseling before you have surgery. If you eat as a way of coping with stress or past trauma, you may eventually undo the progress you make with weight loss surgery unless you have counseling to help you deal with emotional eating. In addition to psychological counseling, you may see a nutritionist for nutritional counseling so you understand how to eat a healthy diet after your surgery. Your diet will change drastically, and you need to be prepared for what's to come.

Recovery Should Be Planned In Advance

Depending on the type of weight loss surgery you have and how you tolerate the procedure, you'll probably be discharged from the hospital in just a few days. You'll want to have your home set up and waiting for your recovery. While you may heal from your surgery quickly, you'll have a long adjustment and recovery when it comes to your diet. Get rid of all tempting junk food and stock up on foods suitable for your diet so you won't come home to temptation. Get your family on board so they won't make your initial weeks harder by eating sweets and junk food in front of you.

As time goes by, you'll become accustomed to your new way of eating and be inspired by your weight loss. However, weight loss surgery doesn't guarantee you'll never gain weight again, so you always have to guard against eating the wrong foods and eating for emotional reasons.

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