What To Do When You Just Can't Get The Pounds Off...

Have you tried dieting that gave you no results? Not only is dieting difficult, but it can also be very frustrating when you put in a lot of effort and then step on the scales to find that you've made no progress. Some people lose weight quickly through dieting only to gain in back in a short amount of time. Others diet and are still unable to lose any weight. This may be due to medical issues or low metabolism or for other reasons. Whatever, the reason, there is an alternative to dieting that will give you results. You may want to consider gastric sleeve surgery.

What Is Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Gastric sleeve surgery is performed laparascopically, which mean the surgeon makes tiny incisions instead of one large one. Through these incisions a laparascope and other small instruments are inserted. Approximately 85% of the stomach is removed. What is left is a tube-like stomach which is closed with staples once the surgery has been completed.

Who Is A Candidate For Surgery?

Those who have tried dieting with no success may be a good candidate. Your eligibility will depend largely upon your current health situation. You would not be an ideal candidate if you suffer from certain health problems. Generally, people who are 80 to 100 pounds overweight are considered for surgery. You should discuss all medical issues past and present with your doctor to determine if surgery is right for you.

How To Prepare For Surgery

Before your surgery, your doctor may instruct you to start or stop taking certain medications. Certain drugs, like aspirin, are anti-coagulants. Your doctor will want you to discontinue these before surgery so clotting doesn't become an issue during surgery. If you are a smoker, you will need to stop smoking two weeks before your surgery. This is because smoking can have a negative impact on your body during and after surgery which can cause complications. Your doctor may also want you to change your diet before surgery.

What To Expect During and After Surgery

The surgery is performed under general anesthesia. The procedure takes about two hours to complete. You may have to stay in the hospital for a couple days after the surgery. Once you are home, recovery will take a few weeks. You can expect to be sore around your abdomen. Your doctor will prescribe medications to help manage your pain.

You will need to slowly reintroduce foods to your body after surgery. For the first two weeks, you will be on a liquids-only diet. You may then graduate to semi-solid foods or foods that are pureed. Once you are able to tolerate semi-solids, you may then begin to introduce solids into your diet.

Weight loss with this particular surgery happens rapidly. Studies have shown that surgery may improve certain health conditions. However, to retain the benefits of surgery, you will need to make lifestyle changes such as keeping a healthy diet and exercising regularly.

If you are considering surgery, you can join social media groups, such as those on Facebook, who are considering surgery or who have already had surgery.

This article was written on behalf of AMBI Surgery, a provider of gastric sleeve surgery.  Visit ambisurgery.com for more details.