Bariatric surgery recovery requires guided nutrition and exercise to improve health over time. Are you from North Alabama or Southern Tennessee and struggling with your weight? Whether through diet, exercise, or other methods like surgery, there are plenty of ways to ensure you stay healthy. Nutrition and exercise are two key components that go hand in hand when taking charge of your health. If more aggressive measures are necessary for long-term success, weight loss surgery may be worth trying.
What is Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery?
It is a medical procedure designed to help people with obesity and other health issues associated with excessive weight gain. It works by altering the size of your stomach, which reduces the amount of food it can hold and encourages you to eat less and lose weight. It also changes how your body metabolizes food and helps you absorb fewer calories.
Purpose of Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery
The surgery aims to help patients lose weight, reduce their risk of obesity-related health problems, and improve their overall quality of life. It can help with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep apnea, joint pain, and more.
The Medical Procedure of Bariatric Surgery
It is performed in various ways depending on your individual needs. Dr. Suggs at Alabama Bariatrics generally performs Gastric Bypass, which involves stapling the stomach to create a smaller pouch, then rerouting part of the small intestine to the new stomach pouch, reducing the amount of food and calories that are absorbed. Dr. Suggs offers other options, such as gastric sleeve surgery or gastric banding.
Who is Eligible for the Surgery?
It is generally only recommended for people with a body mass index (BMI)of 40 or higher or for those who have a BMI between 35 and 40 with comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea.
Patients do it to:
• Improve their health by controlling and reducing the symptoms of medical conditions.
• Lose weight to improve quality of life.
• Improve self-confidence and self-esteem.
Cost of Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery
The cost of such a surgery can vary depending on the procedure and other factors. Gastric bypass surgery, for example, may cost between $18,000 to $35,000 in Alabama alone. Fortunately, most major insurance companies cover many of the costs associated with bariatric surgery. An example, if your insurance covers the surgery, you may be responsible for co-pays and other charges depending on your policy.
Alabama Bariatrics is committed to providing our patients with the best possible care at an affordable cost. We accept a variety of payment options, including major credit cards, cash, personal checks, and financing through CareCredit. Our staff can also help you to explore financing options with our partner CareCredit.
Healing Duration
Once the surgery is complete, it takes about four to six weeks for you to recover and heal. You must follow your doctor’s instructions carefully to ensure a speedy and successful bariatric surgery recovery. Your body will need time to adjust to the changes after the surgery, so you must get plenty of rest and adhere to activity restrictions as required. It is also crucial for you to properly nourish your body with a balanced diet and provide it with adequate hydration.
During the healing process following the surgery, some people may experience nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain, but these symptoms typically last one or two weeks before disappearing. Gastric bypass patients, in particular, may have difficulty swallowing for a few weeks and may have to wait a few months before they can eat solid foods. The patients also need to take nutritional supplements for the rest of their life since some nutrients cannot adequately absorb after the procedure.
Recovery is an individual process that differs from person to person. It is essential to closely follow your doctor’s instructions and take all necessary steps to ensure a safe and successful recovery.
The Importance of Nutrition and Exercise and Bariatric Recovery
Because the surgery is a major medical procedure, patients need to understand the importance of proper nutrition and exercise during recovery. Bariatric weight loss surgery helps reduce caloric intake by changing the stomach’s anatomy so that less food can be eaten at once, resulting in fewer calories consumed overall. But even with this advantage, following a healthy diet and regular exercise are critical for long-term success.
Nutrition after surgery is key to successful bariatric surgery recovery and weight loss goals. The right nutrition plan will ensure proper healing, provide the body with essential vitamins and minerals, and help maintain healthy blood sugar levels. It’s vital to ensure you get the appropriate calories and nutrients for your body to function optimally. Following a healthy, balanced diet is essential in helping you look and feel better after surgery and promoting long-term weight loss results.
Good foods for recovering from a bypass include lean proteins such as eggs and fish, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and healthy fats. High-protein snacks like nuts can help with hunger, while complex carbohydrates like quinoa or black beans provide energy. Fruits are also important to include in the diet for essential vitamins and minerals.
Exercise can be an essential part of the bariatric surgery recovery process after surgery, as it helps with strength, balance, flexibility, and overall well-being. Exercise can help reduce stress levels, improve mood, and provide a sense of accomplishment after surgery. Intense exercise should be avoided soon after surgery, but gradually easing into it will help you reach your weight loss goals while also ensuring you’re not putting too much strain on your body.
Exercises you can do are:
• Walking
• Stretching
• Swimming
• Cycling/Spinning
• Yoga/Pilates
• Strength training
What are The Types of Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery?
Several types of surgery can be performed, including:
• Gastric Banding; it limits food intake by using an adjustable band to reduce the size of your stomach
• A Bypass; which creates a small stomach pouch, usually about one ounce, and bypasses a portion of the small intestine for food absorption
• Gastric Sleeve; this procedure removes most of the stomach so that you feel full more quickly
• Duodenal Switch; involves a significant restriction of food intake by making the stomach smaller and bypassing a portion of the small intestine
• Gastric Balloon; this procedure involves placing a balloon in your stomach to occupy space, which reduces your hunger levels.
Are There Risks to a Surgery?
Bariatric surgery is considered a low-risk procedure. However, there are some risks associated with it. A bypass carries potential risks such as infection, bleeding, blood clots, and leaks in the gastrointestinal tract. It can also cause nutritional deficiencies due to the malabsorption of essential vitamins and minerals.
It can also cause dumping syndrome, where food passes too quickly through the stomach, leading to nausea and vomiting, abdominal cramps, dizziness, sweating, and weakness. Additionally, there are long-term risks associated with surgery, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), low blood sugar, and gallstones. However, these risks are rare, and the health benefits of bariatric weight loss surgery often outweigh the risks.
Alabama Bariatrics is a specialized center in North Alabama and Southern Tennessee that offers bariatric weight loss surgery with Gastric Bypass as one of the options. This well-equipped facility provides comprehensive preoperative care to ensure patients understand the risks and benefits associated with the procedure.
If you’re thinking of having surgery, contact us today. Our webinars provide an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about weight loss surgery and the treatment options available at Alabama Bariatrics. Our friendly team of professionals is here to provide support every step of the way, from your initial consultation to bariatric surgery recovery.
References
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/bariatric-surgery/about/pac-20394258
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513285/