Diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, and heart trouble are just some of the many health problems associated with morbid obesity. If you are at least 100 pounds over your ideal body weight and considering a gastric bypass operation, there is a wealth of information available about the procedure. Unfortunately, not all of this information is correct.One of the biggest myths about the gastric bypass operation is that the procedure is an "easy" way to lose unwanted pounds. Bariatric surgery is designed to assist the morbidly obese in developing a healthier lifestyle--it is not intended for healthy people who wish to lose a small amount of weight. A gastric bypass operation is a useful tool for weight loss, but it is a surgical procedure that requires a substantial commitment.
Many people mistakenly believe that weight loss will be rapid after a gastric bypass operation. Some patients lose between two or three pounds per week during the first year after surgery, but most people lose their excess weight at a much slower rate. People who continue a diet of regular soft drinks, fried foods, and sugary snacks after their gastric bypass operation may not even lose any weight at all.
The final myth you may have heard about gastric bypass is that the operation prevents proper nutrition. It is true that most patients must take supplements after a gastric bypass operation because the procedure inhibits proper absorption of vitamins and minerals. However, patients who follow their doctor's advice about meal planning can enjoy a nutritionally balanced diet. In many cases, their overall health and well-being is dramatically improved after the gastric bypass operation.
