How Effective Is Weight Loss Surgery?

For severely overweight individuals that have failed to see results from diet and exercise alone, weight-loss surgery has become the safest and most effective means of achieving significant weight loss. In fact, studies have shown that with diet and exercise alone, nearly 95% of obese patients will gain all the lost weight back within 5 years. On the other hand, long-term success rates for weight-loss surgery - including the LAP-BAND procedure - are remarkably high, allowing patients to maintain a loss of between 50-70% of their excess body weight. Though there are many factors that can impact an individual patient's weight-loss success, weight-loss surgery is simply the most effective long-term weight loss and healthy lifestyle solution for severely obese patients.

Studies show that most patients that undergo weight-loss surgery will lose between 50-70% of their excess body weight within the first three years following their procedure. Those that undergo gastric bypass surgery will lose excess body weight more rapidly in the first 12 months than those that choose LAP-BAND surgery. However, gastric bypass patients typically experience a greater number of complications and side effects than LAP-BAND patients, as the LAP-BAND procedure allows for more gradual and natural long-term weight loss.

From a clinical perspective, a weight-loss surgery is considered successful when the patient loses at least 50% of their excess body weight and keeps the weight off for at least five years. While important lifestyle changes need to be made to ensure that the weight loss is maintained in the long term, studies have shown that most weight loss surgery patients are able to maintain a 50-60% loss of excess body weight 10 years after the surgical procedure. However, it is important to note that a weight loss of just 10% of total body weight can begin to have positive health effects in resolution of obesity-related condition like asthma, gastric reflux (GERD), and diabetes. As weight-loss surgery is usually performed on patients that are at least 75-100 pounds overweight or have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 35 with a health condition, overall weight loss can range anywhere from 40 pounds to over 100 pounds. But the patient is really the leader behind achieving these results.

While patients will certainly look and feel better after weight-loss surgery, there are also numerous health benefits associated with successful weight loss. In most cases, health conditions that develop as a result of excessive body weight or are worsened by obesity can be improved upon or, in some cases, remedied by weight-loss surgery.

But there are other ways to measuring success with weight-loss surgery, like the LAP-BAND System. For instance, many weight loss surgery patients take great pride in being able to perform certain activities that may not have been possible for a number of years, like crossing their legs, bending over to tie a show, walking up stairs without being easily winded or sitting comfortably in an airplane seat.

While most patients that undergo weight-loss surgery experience incredibly positive results, there are many factors that can impact the overall success of an individual patient's procedure and follow-up treatment. Here are some important factors to consider as you try to determine whether weight loss surgery is right for you.

Pre-surgery Weight

Generally speaking, the higher a patient's pre-surgery weight or BMI, the more excess weight the patient can lose after surgery. However, recipients of weight-loss surgery with less excess body weight will eventually come closer to their ideal weight when committed to long-term diet and exercise. Also, resolution or improvement in obesity-related diseases can occur with even moderate amounts of weight. Often many diseases can become closer to cured than improved with earlier intervention at a lower weight.

Overall Health

While pre-existing health conditions can impact the overall success of weight-loss surgery (for instance, patients with type 2 Diabetes typically lose less excess body weight after surgery), studies have shown that many ailments linked to obesity are either improved upon or fall into remission after a successful procedure. For instance, a 2000 study performed on 500 weight loss surgery patients showed that nearly 96% of health conditions associated with obesity - such as high blood pressure, depression, sleep apnea, back pain and diabetes - improved greatly following loss of excess weight and long-term commitment to diet and exercise.

Surgical Procedure

As there are potential risks and complications associated with any surgical procedure, potential patients should always seek to have their weight-loss surgery performed by a trusted medical staff. Prospective patients should inquire about their surgeon's success rates with weight-loss surgery and listen to the experiences of former patients. Additionally, a patient's weight-loss success may also be impacted by the quality of post-surgery care and counseling provided by their bariatric outpatient facility.

Diet and Exercise

As diet and exercise are two of the most important factors in any weight loss plan, patients with the physical ability to exercise after weight-loss surgery have increased chances of meeting their goals. To maintain the weight loss achieved by surgery, both exercise and healthy eating habits must become integral parts of a patient's lifestyle.

Commitment

The ability to remain committed to suggested dietary guidelines, exercise regimens and any follow-up care recommended by the bariatric outpatient facility is important for both short-term weight loss and long-term weight management.

Motivation

Patients that are motivated to lose weight and willing to follow through with diet and exercise prior to receiving weight loss surgery may experience greater levels of success immediately following the procedure and in the long term. Most people did not find themselves severely obese overnight. It took years to reach that weight and therefore patients should be patient with the weight-loss process, which will also not occur overnight. Successful patients find small victories along the way to celebrate and stay motivated.

Support

As weight-loss surgery will require some time away from everyday activities, it is important to have the support of family, friends and coworkers before undergoing any surgical procedure. Furthermore, as the ongoing weight-loss process following bariatric surgery may require a certain level of emotional support, prospective patients may want to establish a support network - including friends and family members that can join in on exercise and healthy eating.

Considering that significant weight loss can not only remedy many health concerns, but also improve an individual's quality of life, the potential benefits of weight-loss surgery are plentiful. For severely overweight individuals that are unable to lose weight via diet and exercise alone, weight-loss surgery is the most effective method of losing weight - and keeping the weight off.

Carole S. Guinane, a Chief Clinical Officer writes articles about obesity and weight loss for New Hope Today.

Are You a Candidate for Weight-Loss Surgery?

In recent years, weight-loss surgery has emerged as an incredibly effective tool in helping patients manage obesity and make healthy lifestyle choices. However, weight-loss surgery is not for everyone, so you should understand the key factors used to determine if you are a good candidate for weight-loss surgery, like the LAP-BAND System.

While there are several medical factors that can determine whether or not you are eligible for weight-loss surgery; if you qualify, your commitment to the long-term weight-loss process will greatly impact the results. You may want to consider some of these issues on your own, but meeting with a weight-loss surgeon will help you gain an understanding of both the procedure and the lifestyle changes required afterwards.

Body mass index

The body mass index (BMI) requirements for weight-loss surgery were originally set by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and have been in place since the 1990s. As a result, weight-loss surgeons will look for patients with a BMI of at least 40 or a body weight at least 100 pounds over ideal weight. Patients with a BMI between 35 and 39 may also be considered for weight-loss surgery if suffering from at least one health condition related to obesity, including, but not limited to, diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, depression and high cholesterol.

BMI is the most commonly used method of determining an individual's level of obesity. By using theBMI calculator provided by NewHope Bariatrics, you can see where you fall amongst the following BMI classifications:

o Healthy Body Weight - BMI from 18.5 to 24.9

o Overweight - BMI from 25.0 to 29.9

o Obese - BMI from 30 to 34.9

o Severely Obese - BMI from 35 to 39.9

o Morbidly Obese - BMI 40 and above

Failure of traditional weight-loss methods

Before agreeing to operate, weight-loss surgeons also need to determine if their patients have attempted to lose weight on their own. In most cases, surgeons will require that patients have tried traditional diet and exercise regimens prior to considering weight-loss surgery and documented the results. And in some cases weight-loss surgery patients have participated in medically supervised weight-loss programs. Weight-loss surgeons use this information to determine if their patients are committed to weight loss and lifestyle changes.Documentation of weight-loss efforts is also important when approaching the funding of weight-loss surgery. Like weight-loss surgeons, insurance providers typically require prospective patients to provide proof of repeated efforts to lose weight without surgical intervention.

Overall Health and Lifestyle

While there are many health conditions that may increase the urgency of weight-loss surgery, weight-loss surgeons will require all patients to meet certain lifestyle requirements as part of the program. To ensure that patients undergoing weight-loss surgery are able to experience long-term success and improve their overall health, surgeons will look for patients that avoid smoking, drinking and the abuse of drugs. If considering weight-loss surgery, it is important to eliminate these habits prior to beginning the process. After surgery, patients will be expected to avoid smoking and illicit drug use, while alcohol consumption should occur on a limited basis.

Commitment

Lastly, it is very important that all prospective weight-loss surgery patients be committed to permanent lifestyle changes. After ensuring that patients understand both the risks and rewards inherent in weight-loss surgery, some insurance providers will require psychological evaluations. As weight-loss surgery is not a magic bullet to erase obesity, it is important for all patients to understand the role that better eating habits and exercise play in the recovery process. Additionally, most weight-loss surgery procedures will require patients to meet regularly with doctors, attend support groups or meet with medical specialists to help support specific areas of follow-up care. The decision to have weight-loss surgery should not be taken lightly, and hence, doctors and insurance providers will insist that any patient undergoing the procedure is fully committed to each part of the lifelong process.

If you are trying to determine if you are a candidate for weight-loss surgery, you should consider your BMI and your past experiences with traditional weight-loss methods. If you feel you meet the criteria outlined here, you should then carefully consider both the potential benefits and responsibilities of weight-loss surgery. Though you may be unsure if weight-loss surgery is right for you, a consultation with a weight-loss surgeon will provide extensive insight into your condition and information about life after the procedure. In the end, if you are a good candidate for the procedure and feel prepared for the necessary lifestyle changes, weight-loss surgery can be the first important step towards a longer and healthier life.

Carole S. Guinane, a Chief Clinical Officer writes articles about obesity and weight loss for http://www.newhopetoday.com New Hope Today.

When Should You Go to a Weight Loss Surgery Clinic?

If you have a serious weight problem, then a trip to a weight loss surgery clinic might just save your life. This is not to say that you can't go to a weight loss surgery clinic if you aren't in a life-threatening situation. It just means that as much as possible, you should try to lose weight the natural way. But if you do choose to have a procedure done, it cannot be stressed enough that you have to be fully aware and knowledgeable of everything that is going to happen.

Even with a weight loss surgery clinic near you, a visit to one should be done with utmost care. Before you undergo any procedure in a weight loss surgery clinic, be very sure that you know what you're getting yourself into. Do your research, not just on the procedure you're about to have but the weight loss surgery clinic itself. Be very sure that the weight loss surgery clinic is licensed.

Weight Loss Surgery

Weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, is a procedure done to remove fat that collects in different parts of the body. Of the many procedures under weight loss surgery, a mini gastric bypass is considered to be simple and also inexpensive. The mini gastric bypass is very popular and is considered to be the safest, most effective weight loss surgery. The whole procedure takes up only about 30 minutes and hospitalization time is usually under 24 hours.

Weight loss surgeons recognized the potential for different surgical procedures during the course of operations they have performed. With this in mind, they used their observations to create various procedures that could be done safely to induce weight loss in people with morbid obesity.

Before Surgery

Before a weight loss surgery, every patient is asked to sign a consent form. This is to acknowledge that a person fully understands the information that has been given to him and that he is aware about the benefits and risks that comes with the procedure. Do not sign anything unless you've fully understood what is happening and what is going to happen. If you still have doubts, be sure to discuss them with your weight loss surgeon proceeding.

What weight loss surgery does

Weight loss surgery works by reducing your food intake without depriving you of any nutrients. In most procedures, the surgeon reduces the size if the stomach either by stitching or creating an artificial pouch. However, this procedure can alter a person's digestive processes. In such cases, food is indigested, unabsorbed, and eliminated with the bowel. Weight loss surgeons are still in the process of perfecting the procedure to eliminate these effects.

After surgery

After surgery, you should stick to your weight loss surgeon's instructions and restrictions. Take note that instructions vary from weight loss surgeon to weight loss surgeon and from one patient to another. Those with the best results are usually those people who learn how to avoid drinking too much liquids, eat less, and eat slowly.

Maintenance

A weight loss surgery will definitely give you a new body. However, as with any weight loss product or program, no matter how amazing, weight loss surgery isn't a permanent all around cure. Think of it as starting with a blank slate. To keep it blank, you have to work at it. If you don't create the necessary changes in your lifestyle then you might as well not have gone through with your weight loss surgery. Without the proper change in lifestyle and attitude, you'll end up gaining all that weight back and you're back right where you started.

Weight loss surgery can be life-changing. With a new body, a whole different world opens up to you. You can now do things that you've never done before because of the physical limitations that came with your weight problem. But remember that what you initially see is just the physical aspect of your transformation. The real meaning in the change in yourself comes from how you will use this change.

There are a lot of weight loss surgery clinics out there. Make sure to brush up on the different procedures being offered in different weight loss surgery clinics before deciding on what procedure and which weight loss surgery clinic to have it done in.

Phillip England is a weight loss expert and Author of the popular report "The Ultimate Weight Loss Secret". To receive your free information on the secret that doctors, and health companies either don't know, or don't want you to know, please see [http://www.theultimateweightlosssecret.com/secret]

Cosmetic Surgery And Weight Loss

Are you looking to lose weight?  If you are, you may also be looking for a little bit of help.  Cosmetic surgery is often performed to improve one's physical appearance, but there are certain situations in which it could actually be a lifesaver.  These situations often involve those who are overweight.

One of the most sought after cosmetic procedures performed is that of liposuction.  Liposuction is designed to remove excess fat from the body.  Often times, specific "problem," areas are targeted.  Common areas on both men and women include the underarms, the thighs, and the abdominal area.

If you are interested in undergoing liposuction, it is important to know that you may not necessarily get to.  Quality cosmetic surgeons, namely the ones you will want operating on you, have strict standards and qualifications for candidates.  These typically include those of the age of eighteen, those in good health, and those who have the desire to lose weight.  Good health and the desire to stay on a healthy path is important so that complications do not arise.

Unfortunately, those who are obese aren't always good candidates for liposuction.  This is because only a small about of fat can be removed at once, as there are dangers to removing too much.  Also, those who are obese are likely to have diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart problems.  These all increase the risk of complications.  If you are obese, there is good new though.  You may be a candidate for gastric bypass surgery or another similar procedure, like the Lapband.  Your primary care physician may be able to help you determine which surgery you are the best candidate for.

In addition to assisting with weight loss, cosmetic surgery can also be used to help those who have lost a significant amount of weight.  If you had a large weight loss, like 100 pounds or more, you may have a lot of excess skin just, literally, hanging around.  This may make you feel unattractive and scared to show off your great new body.  It is ironic when this happens though, as one of your weight loss goals was to look good.  Cosmetic surgery, as previously stated, can provide you with assistance.  You can receive a full body lift, unless you have specific areas you would like targeted.  Although there are a number of side effects, including pain and discomfort, you will likely be pleased with the results.

As a reminder, not everyone is the perfect candidate for cosmetic surgery.  The first thing that you will want to do is find and choose a cosmetic surgeon or surgery center in your area.  You can then schedule a consultation appointment for yourself.  At this appointment, you will have the procedure explained to you and your surgeon will help you decide if cosmetic surgery is the best option for you.

Before proceeding too far, it is also important to examine the cost.  If you are without health insurance, you will have to pay for the full costs of your surgery.  Even if you are insured, you may still be responsible for the cost.  Most cosmetic procedures, like liposuction and the removal of excess skin, are not covered.  With that said, gastric bypass surgery and other similar procedures are about more than just improving physical appearance, as they can often be a lifesaver.