Benefits…
Weight loss surgery is not a miracle cure. You will need to modify your diet and exercise behavior. However, when appropriate, weight loss surgery can dramatically improve your weight and your health. Benefits include:
Weight Loss. In the first 12 to 24 months, most people lose 50 percent to 80 percent of their excess weight, and those who follow dietary and exercise recommendations usually keep most of the weight off for 10 years or more.
Control of Diabetes. Severely obese Type 2 diabetics usually realize improvements in the control of their blood sugar levels. In fact, blood sugar levels may even return to normal.
Control of High Blood Pressure and Cholesterol. High blood pressure disappears in about two-thirds of those who have weight loss surgery. In addition, weight loss surgery lowers the level of cholesterol or other fats (lipids) in the blood for approximately 70 percent of bariatric patients.
Better Sleep. Most people who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea usually realize noticeable improvement in their sleep, including less daytime sleepiness, following weight loss surgery.
…and Challenges
In order to sustain your weight loss and the resulting health benefits, you will need to make physical and social adjustments following surgery, including:
Modify Your Food Intake. Your stomach pouch will be about the size of a small egg. Therefore, during the first six months after surgery, eating too much or too fast may cause either vomiting or an intense pain under your breastbone. Therefore, you will need to eat four to six small meals — approximately two ounces each — throughout the day, rather than eating regular meals three times a day. That’s the equivalent of about half the size of your fist. Most people, however, quickly learn how much to eat at one meal, and eventually that amount increases.
Learn to Make Healthy Food Choices. Not only is the amount of food you eat critical to weight control, but the types of food you consume also contribute to weight loss or gain. Balancing fats, carbohydrates, fiber and other nutrients is important to achieving and sustaining weight loss. In addition, good nutrition lowers your risk for developing many chronic diseases. However, approximately three-fourths of U.S. adults fail to eat the recommended daily allowances of fruits and vegetables. At Providence Saint Joseph, bariatric surgery patients will have access to a nutritionist to assist with adopting the improved dietary and lifestyle changes necessary in order to sustain long-term weight loss.
Exercise Regularly. A good way to burn off extra calories and promote weight loss is to engage in regular physical activity beyond routine activities. In addition to promoting weight control, regular physical activity reduces your many diseases; contributes to healthy bones, muscles, and joints; reduces falls among older adults; helps to relieve the pain of arthritis; and reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression. People of all ages can benefit from moderate physical activity, such as 30 minutes of brisk walking five or more times a week. However, despite the proven benefits of physical activity, more than half of American adults do not get enough exercise.
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