Weight loss surgery is major surgery. Although most patients enjoy an
improvement in obesity-related health conditions (such as mobility,
self-image, and self-esteem) after the successful results of weight loss
surgery, these results should not be the overriding motivation for having the
procedure. The goal is to live better, healthier, and longer.
That is why you should make the decision to have weight loss surgery only
after careful consideration and consultation with an experienced bariatric
surgeon or a knowledgeable family physician. A qualified surgeon should answer
your questions clearly and explain the exact details of the procedure, the
extent of the recovery period and the reality of the follow-up care that will
be required. They may, as part of routine evaluation for weight loss surgery,
require that you consult with a dietician/nutritionist and a
psychiatrist/therapist. This is to help establish a clear understanding of the
post-operative changes in behavior that are essential for long-term success.
It is important to remember that there are no ironclad guarantees in any kind
of medicine or surgery. There can be unexpected outcomes in even the simplest
procedures. What can be said, however, is that weight loss surgery will only
succeed when the patient makes a lifelong commitment. Some of the challenges
facing a person after weight loss surgery can be unexpected. Lifestyle changes
can strain relationships within families and between married couples. To help
patients achieve their goals and deal with the changes surgery and weight loss
can bring, most bariatric surgeons offer follow-up care that includes support
groups, dieticians and other forms of continuing education.
Ultimately, the decision to have the procedure is entirely up to you. After
having heard all the information, you must decide if the benefits outweigh the
side effects and potential complications. Weight loss surgery is only a tool.
Your ultimate success depends on strict adherence to the recommended dietary,
exercise and lifestyle changes.
