Bariatric surgery! Is it worth the risks?

GUEST COLUMN: Dr. N Prabhudev

Bengaluru, Feb. 7: Obesity is an epidemic that is the result of broken systems and not simply personal choice. Obesity is medical condition that can have serious consequences such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer.

Bariatric surgery is not for everyone. It’s not exactly a walk in the park. Bariatric surgery be considered for youth with BMI ≥35 with concurrent severe comorbid disease or for those with BMI ≥40 kg/m2. Be considered” doesn’t mean “be done” or “be performed”! Evidence suggests that bariatric surgery isn’t even being considered for many youth who could benefit from the procedures. Does this make any sense? Well, since when did our health care system make total sense?

Your BMI is your weight in kilograms divided by your height in meters squared and is just one potential measure of obesity. A comorbid disease is an obesity-related major condition such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, liver disease, or sleep apnoea.

If you’ve had bariatric surgery, one of your greatest fears may be that you’ll regain the weight.
Trust me- it is easy to regain the lost weight. In the majority of cases, weight regain is diet-related. Bariatric surgery is a tool, not a magic wand. Bariatric surgery alone isn’t a permanent solution to obesity. The health risks associated with weight regain are proportional to the amount of weight regained.

Though weight-loss surgery has a reputation for being risky, the procedures have improved over the years and are a lot safer now. The chances of having a major complication are only about 4.3 percent. The risks of staying obese — heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and even death – are far more dangerous.

Bariatric procedures produce rapid and substantial weight loss. The result? Diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, sleep apnoea and other medical issues linked to obesity may disappear, lowering the risk of heart disease, stroke, premature death and many forms of cancer.
In some ways, bariatric surgery reverses the clock. The detrimental changes to the heart reverse themselves with rapid weight loss. This dramatically lowers the risk of cardiac arrhythmias and heart attack. As weight climbs again after weight loss surgery, so do the risks of developing cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Gastric bypass and other weight-loss surgeries — known collectively as Bariatric surgery —involve making changes to your digestive system to help you lose weight. Bariatric surgery is done only when diet and exercise haven’t worked or when you have serious health problems because of your weight.

Types of weight loss Surgeries

Everyone has a different relationship with food, different medical histories, and different lifestyles. One procedure does not fit all. You will need to make significant lifestyle changes even after bariatric surgery. Your weight loss program will also involve increased physical activity. Your meals will be much smaller.
Timeline of weight loss
• The first three months after surgery tend to see the most rapid weight loss. During this time, many will lose as much as 35% of their excess weight. This is because the body responds quickly to the significant changes in stomach capacity, diet, and exercise after bariatric surgery.

• Once you are outside those initial three months in the weight loss timeline, shedding pounds tends to slow down a bit. You can still expect to lose weight, but it will likely be at a rate of around one to two pounds per week.

• After you hit six months, you might experience plateaus. These are periods where you stop losing weight. However, they typically do not last. Most people will continue to lose weight until after their one-year mark.

• In some cases, people will initially lose weight but then their body becomes used to the changes made during the surgery and they can regain some of the weight.
Increase Your Activity ಲೆವೆಲ್

Eat with Heart in Mind, Eat More Protein
Obesity is a chronic, multifaceted condition that programs your body to gain weight. A dedicated effort is your ally in the fight to lose weight and be healthy. Follow your nutrition plan diligently to ensure you receive adequate nutrition and maintain muscle mass. The ultimate goal is to eat a regular diet in smaller amounts.
However, it’s important to remember that the process of losing weight after bariatric surgery is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time for your body to adjust, and you need to be patient with yourself as well as your doctor or surgeon.

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