Today, a good number of people who struggle with obesity are looking for effective ways to lose weight and keep it off. Weight loss surgery is one of the options that you can explore when looking for a safe method that will deliver long-term results. However, before seeking the services of an expert in gastric bypass Houston, you need to know the facts. These include understanding how the operations work and what you can expect.
Gastric bypass surgery
Gastric bypass surgery is a weight-loss procedure that involves changing the way your stomach and small intestines handle the food you eat. People who undergo the procedure will have a smaller stomach after surgery, meaning that they will feel full with less food. Gastric bypass surgery is a restrictive, malabsorptive, and metabolic procedure since it limits food intake and restricts the amount of nutrients and calories the body absorbs.
Who qualifies for the procedure?
As much as most weight-loss surgeries help to reduce the risk of weight-related health problems, they are life-changing procedures. This means that you will have to undergo extensive screening to determine whether you meet the set medical guidelines. The procedure could be an option for you if:
Your efforts to achieve a healthy body weight through diet and exercise have been unsuccessful
You have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of over 40
You have a BMI of over 35 and have serious weight-related health problems such as high blood pressure, severe sleep apnea, or diabetes.
You are a teenager who has gone through puberty and have a BMI of over 35 as well as a serious obesity-related health problem.
Advantages of gastric bypass
Apart from helping you achieve faster initial weight loss, gastric bypass surgery causes long-term remission for type 2 diabetes. The procedure also helps to improve cardiovascular health and promotes improved emotional health by getting rid of poor body image and the associated social stigma. Other benefits of the surgery include eliminating obstructive sleep apnea, relieving the stress on joints to ensure joint pain relief, improving fertility, and alleviating other medical conditions.
Before and after gastric bypass surgery
Before the surgery, you will be advised to stop smoking a few weeks before the procedure. The doctor may also ask you to stop taking drugs such as warfarin, aspirin, and any drugs that make it difficult for your blood to clot. It would also be necessary to prepare your home for after the procedure.
After the surgery, you are likely to be sent home within three to five days. The doctor will consider whether you can move around without much pain, and if you are able to eat liquid or pureed food.
It is essential to find the right professional for a gastric bypass Houston. Dr. Brian Mirza of Bariatric Care Centers is accessible by phone 24/7. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.