For people who can be considered obese, surgery is often an opportunity to begin a more healthy lifestyle. Gastric bypass and the LAP BAND procedure are two of the most common forms of bariatric surgery. These procedures can result in permanent weight loss when other methods have failed. People who are at least 100 pounds overweight or have a BMI of 40 or more are considered obese. Surgery is generally performed on people who have been obese for five years or more and can provide documentation of their previous weight loss attempts. Many people who have obesity surgery are suffering from diabetes, hypertension, or other conditions that would be improved by a substantial weight loss.
What Happens after Obesity Surgery?
After surgery, patients must remain committed to achieving their weight loss goals. Diet and exercise are crucial components of bariatric surgery follow-up care. Since gastric bypass and the LAP BAND procedure limit the amount of food a person can consume, it is important to make sure your meals are high in protein and vitamins. Regular exercise, such as brisk walking, is necessary to improve muscle tone and increase the amount of calories that are burned on a daily basis.
Weight loss after obesity surgery is generally a gradual process and varies on an individual basis. Some patients can lose up to 20 pounds per month after surgery, but others lose much less. If you don't follow your doctor's diet and exercise recommendations, you may never lose a significant amount of weight. Gastric bypass produces a more rapid initial weight loss than the LAP BAND procedure, although both forms of bariatric surgery have similar long term success rates.
