If the internet loves one thing it is giving advice no one asked for and a lot of it is unverified, unsolicited and frankly, untrue. When it comes to weight loss, this is even more true. From “miracle” pills that promise to make you lose weight in 5 days that never work or exercises that promise spot reduction and no weight regain with “These daily exercises get you abs for only 7 minutes a day”, there is no shortage of articles ready to lead you down the wrong path.
If you plan to consider weight loss surgery -whether you want the surgery or you know someone – we bring you a list of 5 myths and realities of bariatric surgery prior to surgery with the help of experts and specialists in bariatric surgery in Ahmedabad and the world over.
Number 1:
Being overweight means you can get weight loss surgery.
This is one of the huge bariatric surgery myths. We don’t just consider surgery for weight loss for everyone with excess weight. Moderately slim people who can lose a good amount of weight through diet and exercise are told to do so instead of getting bariatric surgery. In fact, most insurance companies require you to make lifestyle changes before providing insurance coverage for bariatric procedures – or any surgical procedure.
In general, our bariatric surgeons might consider you a candidate, and insurance may cover weight loss surgery if:
Your body mass index (weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters), which is considered excessive obesity, is 40 or higher.
You have an obesity-related serious health issue, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, high blood pressure, or severe sleep apnea, and your BMI is between 35 and 39.9, which is considered obese.
Remember, however, that it is not the be-all and end-all of your health indications. Only excessive body fat, particularly visceral fat, or fat that gathers in the abdomen, is to blame for obesity’s hazards. Increased blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol are just a few of the hazards associated with obesity, and they can all raise your risk of developing conditions like type 2 diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) claims that the BMI used in the United States is merely a correlation, since the higher your BMI number, the more fat you are likely to carry about. Age, gender, race, and muscle mass can all affect how well BMI measures body fat, according to the CDC. For instance, if you are very athletic.
Not everyone who is overweight should have obesity surgery. You might need to fulfil specific medical requirements to be eligible for weight-loss surgery. You’ll go through a rigorous screening process to discover if you qualify.
Number 2:
Bariatric surgery is a cosmetic procedure.
‘It’s all about looking good’ is a myth perpetuated all over. A lot of people assume that just because bariatric surgery yields solid results and is one of the best ways to gain long-term and significant weight loss, that is a procedure undergone just for beauty rather than to build a healthier lifestyle.
Due to a lot of misconceptions, people even confuse obesity surgery and liposuction.
A liposuction surgical operation employs a suction technique to remove fat from particular body parts, such as the belly, hips, thighs, buttocks, arms, or neck. Additionally, liposuction contours these areas. Liposuction isn’t often seen as an all-encompassing weight-loss technique or a weight-loss substitute.
Whereas, the average weight loss surgery can add years to the life of those who are severely obese. [1] In large scientific studies of hundreds of thousands of patients, certain weight loss surgery has been shown to lower a person’s risk of death from any cause by over 40 per cent. [2] After surgery, you may be able to walk around and be more physically active. You may also find that your mood improves and your quality of life improves. As a bonus, as there is some weight lost, you may be able to take fewer prescription prescriptions, reducing your financial burden. [3]
You can dive deeper into how bariatric surgery gives you seven additional benefits. Still, it is safe to say that from cardiac health to hypertension to diabetes remission and various other health benefits that come along with obesity surgery, there is no reason to think it is a cosmetic surgery.
Number 3:
Bariatric Surgery is a quick fix.
Fat shaming has been the norm in households and social circles for centuries. It is a cruel misconception that obese people are lazy and cannot maintain long-term weight loss. So it is no surprise that obesity surgery is seen as a quick fix and those who seek it are sometimes told that surgery is an easy way out.
This is one of the most pervasive and harmful myths of them all. The fact of the matter is that people who opt for bariatric surgery have tried to lose weight via diet and exercise multiple times but their attempts have been unsuccessful. Even with specially designed diets, some people just have a slower metabolism – the rate at which bodies burn fat at rest.
That means a person who weighed 90 kgs and then managed weight to reach 60 kgs will burn fat slower than someone who has always been 60 kgs. This makes it very hard to lose fat.
Number 4:
The surgery is the ticket to eating as much as you want.
Other common misconceptions are in all the approaches to weight loss surgery. Instead of looking at health conditions, other common weight loss surgery myths include it being a path to not having self-control. When these patients walk into doctors’ offices, they are in for a rude awakening. Bariatric surgery gets you to a point where weight management is more accessible but overall health can only improve if you don’t gain the weight back. Once the excess body weight is off, the surgery can only help patients if they don’t regain weight.
After the first month, bariatric patients are free to eat whatever they want, but if they want to see a successful weight loss procedure, they must develop new eating habits, exercise habits and intake of vitamins and minerals after surgical weight loss. You must also be prepared to make long-term adjustments. You might need to take part in long-term follow-up plans that examine your diet, lifestyle, and behaviour as well as your health issues. Your new rules for a better life should include a balanced diet, adequate water, portion control, circadian eating, avoiding missing meals, and many other key components that our healthcare experts have identified. Our dietician may recommend post-obesity surgery diets to assist you in healing from weight loss surgery and adjusting to new eating habits.
In order to live a better life, you must also be prepared to make long-term adjustments. You might need to take part in long-term follow-up plans that examine your diet, lifestyle, and behaviour as well as your health issues.
Number 5:
It is not worth the risk.
As with any surgery, there are always risks associated with this surgery too. Moreover, there are a lot of myths and misconceptions about bariatric surgery – be it a gastric bypass, laparoscopic surgery, minimally invasive surgery and every other type of surgery. A few common myths include – surgical weight loss is nearly impossible, this surgery is dangerous, you will always regain the weight, untested treatment for obesity works, it causes life-threatening conditions, every surgery is an open surgery, you end up with lower blood volume, patients never maintain their weight and so on. There is no lack of fake horror stories that spread myths about bariatric surgery.
However, the benefits are far more than any risks that are posed. Today’s procedures are much safer than they were in the past; according to the ASMBS, the likelihood of a significant complication is only 4.3% [4]. The dangers of continuing to be obese—heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, and even death—are significantly greater than doing nothing.
The majority of patients who undertake this procedure say that they would choose to have the surgery again if they could go back in time, despite the fact that success is a long-term goal for them. majority of weight loss surgery patients say they feel better, are more active, and need fewer drugs to treat obesity-related issues after surgery and subsequent weight loss, all of which can significantly enhance a person’s quality of life.
Moreover, with proper care, you can take the risk down further. Remember to always listen to our experts at Ansh Obecure. More importantly, remember to give it time. Bariatric surgery is not a magic cure and should not be treated as such. Results take a little while and rest and recuperation time should be taken as instructed.
Remember, while the battle with obesity is a war, you could have an advantage in every battle with AnshObecure. With us, you are in safe hands.
Read More – Bariatric Checklist: What You Need To Ask Your Doctor?
