When people think of serious, successful weight loss, bariatric surgery is one of the most effective options to come to mind. It’s popular because it’s safe and effective, but with fame can come trouble – like the spread of false information. Today, we’re here to disprove some of the most common weight-loss surgery (WLS) myths!
Weight-loss procedures are proven to be effective for people who fall into a wide range of BMIs. Although surgeries like the sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) are reserved for patients with a BMI of 40 or higher (35 with comorbidities, such as diabetes or sleep apnea), there are still weight-loss procedures offered for people with a lower BMI.
Non-surgical options, like the gastric balloon, were created to get people on track to healthy living before they would qualify for surgery. They increase the availability of weight-loss procedures, so everyone can achieve the weight they want!
This myth goes hand-in-hand with our previous point; patients don’t need to – and shouldn’t – wait until their other attempts have failed to consider bariatric surgery.
Often, the longer a patient waits to receive a bariatric procedure, the worse their health can become. As time goes on, they gain more weight, and they have longer to develop diseases associated with weight gain.
Don’t wait! Consider bariatrics today to take advantage of the benefits early on.
Some people believe that WLS is magic, and that once they receive the procedure, they can return to their normal routine and still lose weight.
Patients need to adopt a new, healthier lifestyle if they want to see long-term success.
Bariatric surgery is a tool – one that boosts the benefits of healthy behavior. It works best when patients eat well, exercise regularly, and get a full night’s sleep. These healthy habits take hard work, but they are worth it!
In addition, patients cannot eat the same foods or the same portions that they once did. Bariatric surgery comes with a learning curve, but patients who put in the effort can live much healthier lives.
Bariatric surgery is entirely affordable; in fact, most health insurance policies cover it.
Patients will also save money from the medical, food, and diet expenses that they would have had without surgery. Long-term, those savings are substantial!
Patients are considered to have had a successful surgery once they’ve lost 50% or more of their excess weight.
Patients can regain weight after surgery, but it’s usually only about 5% of what they lost. Overall, that’s really not a lot of weight! It’s rare to see bariatric patients regain more weight than that because of the support and methodologies designed to help them maintain their new weight.
Healthy habits and lifestyle changes help to keep weight off long-term.
Bariatric surgery isn’t magic; weight doesn’t just disappear, although it may seem like it does! Bariatric surgery expedites the weight-loss process, making it easier than with diet and exercise alone. However, hard work and determination are crucial for success! Success takes time and patience, but the results can be remarkable.
Bariatric surgery – like every other surgery – has some level of risk. However, the risks are significantly low, especially when compared to obesity.
Obesity can lead to type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, COPD, hypertension, and an increased cancer risk; these comorbidities can be uncomfortable, and even fatal.
These are much bigger health risks than the complications from bariatric surgery. Surgeries are almost never life-threatening – RYGB has a 99.8% survival rate. Complication rates are also low – 90% of patients do not experience any complications.
The effects of alcohol are heightened for patients who have received bariatric surgery because their lower body weight makes them more sensitive to its effects than they were before their surgery. However, this does NOT mean alcohol and weight loss lead to alcoholism.
Often, patients who suffer from alcoholism post-bariatric surgery tend to have a history of substance abuse which began before surgery. It is important to note that there is no science which suggests a link between weight-loss surgery and any increased risk for addiction.
As an added measure of self-care, we recommend that patients avoid alcohol and limit intake early on, especially while adjusting to their new lifestyle and diet!
Now that we’ve disproven the biggest weight-loss surgery myths, it’s time for you to find out if it’s right for you! At University Bariatrics, we focus on patient safety and comfort while offering the best in bariatric procedures, like the sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.
Get started with us today! https://www.universitybariatrics.com/contact-us/