Healthier Me

 Edited to add:  please visit my new weight loss surgery related blog/web site:  WLS4Health.com

Welcome! It would seem that the bulk of US society also has their weight struggles, according to the statistics. So I’m not alone. This is a journal of my struggle to get healthy, and the how’s, whys of my weight loss surgery decision.

Weight loss surgery (aka: , gastric bypass surgery, bariatric surgery and stomach stapling) isn’t a new procedure. However, it has greatly improved over the last decade specifically. I know it appears that weight loss surgery is a new ‘fad’, after Carnie Wilson’s much publicized surgery. While her coming out about her journey definitely made the option aware to the public, it is far from a cosmetic, quick-fix, easy way out, cure-all for obesity. Far from it.

Let me clarify from the get-go: weight loss surgery is not done for cosmetic reasons. It is done for health reasons only. I think people assume that if you have money, or a desire to be thin, that anyone can go and have this surgery. This is not true!! Strict criteria must be met before surgeons will consider a patient for the surgery.

The standard requirements for a bariatric patient are:

• 100 pounds or more overweight (making one morbidly obese)
• A BMI of 40 or greater
• Co-morbidities (other health conditions, such as: diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, etc..)

In viewing the requirements, it is obvious this surgery is not for those wanting to lose a few pounds. While losing weight does make one look different (and according to society: look ‘better’), it is done to improve ones health. It is quite common for weight loss surgery patients to either drastically reduce their medicines or go off them completely once the weight starts coming off after surgery. Diabetes and hypertension seem to disappear and the need for medication is eliminated. That’s why this surgery is so important and is a life-saver for the morbidly obese. Diabetes and hypertension are only two of the chronic diseases that kill. While thin people can also get these diseases, it is almost assured that the obese will get them, and studies show they get them as a direct result of being morbidly obese. The longer one is obese, the greater the chance they will develop diabetes, hypertension and a host of other diseases.

Easy way out? If you think that going in and having your stomach cut open, your stomach reduced to the size of your thumb, having drain tubes and a 6 week recovery is the easy way out; then your idea of easy and mine are definitely not the same!! Weight loss surgery is a tool. It is not a cure-all. It helps the post-op patient to lose weight in two specific ways:

• Reduces the amount of food able to be consumed at one time, thus greatly reducing caloric intake.
• Malabsorption. Because a large portion of the intestines are bypassed, fewer fat and calories are absorbed from the food that is eaten, thus also contributing to weight loss.

Risks: There are risks with any surgery. The risks are greater the heavier a person is undergoing any surgery, even bariatric surgery. Death can occur, and statistics show 1.5-2% of weight loss surgery patients die from complications. But far greater numbers die as a direct result of being obese.

Malnutrition is another possible problem. It is essential that the post-op patient eat according to their doctors post-op guidelines, they get regular blood work done to check their nutrient levels and take the appropriate nutritional supplements.

Diet & Exercise: Yes, the post-op patient must still eat good foods and exercise!! Are you surprised? I think many people are. Then why have the surgery, you ask? Because the tool is the key to permanent weight loss. Actually, many obese patients dieted themselves right into obesity!! How many of you have gone on a diet, lost weight, only to gain back the weight later on, plus a few additional pounds. This is how obesity happens for many.

Gaining back the weight: Yes, it’s possible. If one chooses high calorie, high fat foods, even if they are eating small amounts, it’s possible to gain back the weight. The difference for the post-op patient, is that they can use the tool to get back on track and lose the weight by making the right food choices once again. However, many (if not most) post-op patients find that their new stomachs and digestive systems are no longer able to tolerate high fat foods, so that is another way the tool works for us.

Hunger: I bet you’re wondering if weight loss surgery patients are starving all the time. The answer is no! Scientists have discovered that when the stomach is stapled and restructured, that it affects the production of the Grenlin hormone, which is the ‘hunger hormone’. So the post-op person is not eating teeny tiny portions and still starving. They truly are full after a few bites. What a bonus!

Lookin’ Good: I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that, of course, losing weight makes us feel better and we look better. We get comments from others and it can improve our self-esteem. I see our physical appearance as a bonus from this surgery. Being healthy and hopefully living a longer more productive life is the ultimate goal, but looking good isn’t bad either.

Support: I believe one of the essential keys to post-op weight loss surgery success is support groups. Of course, attend a group through your surgeon or hospital; but day-to-day support is also good. There are many online support groups: ObesityHelp is where I’m most active in the Missouri, Graduates and July 2004 forums. But nothing beats real-life support groups. If you have WLS, please - plug in to a support group, whether online, offline or both. Just do it!

Edited to add:  please visit my new weight loss surgery related blog/web site:  WLS4Health.com 

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Written by Traci Knoppe ©: Aside from her roles as wife, mother of six, mother-in-law and grandmother, Traci is a Christian parenting instructor, Sunday school teacher, and business owner.