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“I certainly would do it again. There’s no way you would lose weight at this pace and feel this good. ” Anne McDermot
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The Process
Step 1: Qualifying for Bariatric Surgery
The National Institutes of Health sets minimum requirements for recommending bariatric surgery as a treatment option:
1 100 pounds or more above ideal body weight or a BMI of 40 or greater, or a BMI of 35 or greater with one or more obesity-related health condition
History of documented dietary weight loss attempts
Lifelong commitment to dietary, exercise, and medical guidelines and follow-up care
Psychological evaluation
Step 2: Evaluation
Your bariatric surgeon will do a complete assessment to see if you are right for bariatric surgery. This may include an application that describes your health and weight loss history. You will also undergo other evaluations such as nutritional, psychological, and BMI, and discuss any obesity-related health conditions you may have.
Step 3: Prequalification for surgery
Certain basic tests are done before surgery, including: a Complete Blood Count (CBC), electrocardiogram, urinalysis, and a chemistry screen. Other tests can include blood glucose (for diabetes), gallbladder ultrasound, vaginal ultrasound (for some women), pulmonary function testing, echocardiogram, sleep studies, GI evaluation, and a cardiac evaluation.
Step 4: Choosing the right procedure for you
The Weight Loss Surgery Program at Hialeah Hospital offers Gastric Bypass and Lap Band (Laparoscopic Gastric Banding) surgery. Both are minimally-invasive procedures. After you have completed your pre-surgery medical, nutritional, and psychological evaluations, the surgeon will discuss the benefits and risks of each procedure, and together you will choose the most appropriate surgery for you.
After Surgery
Post-surgery Diet
The changes made to your gastrointestinal tract will require permanent changes in your eating habits that must be followed for successful weight loss. Post-surgery dietary guidelines can vary according the bariatric surgeon.
The following are some of the generally accepted dietary guidelines:
1. When you start eating solid food, chew your food thoroughly and eat very slowly. Wait 2-3 minutes before putting the next bite in your mouth.
2. Don’t drink fluids while eating. They will make you feel full before you have eaten enough food.
3. Don’t eat desserts and other items with sugar if they have more than 3 - 5 grams per serving size.
4. Avoid carbonated drinks, high-calorie nutritional supplements, milk shakes, foods high in fat, and foods that have no nutritional value
5. Avoid alcohol.
6. Limit snacking between meals.
2. Don’t drink fluids while eating. They will make you feel full before you have eaten enough food.
3. Don’t eat desserts and other items with sugar if they have more than 3 - 5 grams per serving size.
4. Avoid carbonated drinks, high-calorie nutritional supplements, milk shakes, foods high in fat, and foods that have no nutritional value
5. Avoid alcohol.
6. Limit snacking between meals.
Resuming Normal Activities
Your ability to resume pre-surgery levels of activity depends on your physical condition, the nature of the activity, and the type of bariatric surgery you had. Many patients return to normal levels of activity within six weeks of surgery.
Achieving Your Goals
Your surgeon, nutritionist, and psychologist are each involved in providing you with ongoing support. Also, surgical centers will help you locate and take part in a support group with other patients, where you can share experiences, insights, and concerns. The goal is to adopt lifestyle changes, lose fat, gain muscle, and keep off the weight for good.
For information on The Weight Loss Surgery Program or to attend our next seminar call 1-800-470-7422.