Weight Loss (Bariatric) Surgery Myths and Facts

Following are the most common weight loss (bariatric) surgery myths and facts:

1. MYTH: Bariatric surgery is the \”easy way out.\”

Fact: Rather than being an easy way out, bariatric surgery makes life \”easy.\” Losing weight and keeping it off for the long haul necessitates a change in lifestyle, nutritional changes, and, most significantly, a desire and dedication to lose weight. Attending educational seminars and support groups for lifelong healthy habits and behaviours is also recommended.

 

1. MYTH: Bariatric Surgery has high risks.

Fact: Due to a lack of technology, huge incisions, untrained staff, and limited follow-ups, weight loss surgery was considered a dangerous procedure in the 1970s. All of these variables have shifted dramatically. Weight loss surgery is now performed by the hands of competent surgeons, advanced laparoscopic technologies, and experienced personnel with regular follow-ups in a highly safe and risk-free manner. Its danger is comparable to that of other commonly done operations such as uterine removal.

 

1. MYTH: One has to be over 100 kilograms to qualify for bariatric surgery.

Fact: The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a key criteria for weight loss surgery selection, as well as the existence of comorbidities (such as diabetes, blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnea, polycystic ovarian syndrome, joint problems, and so on).

If you have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or more and have tried numerous diet and exercise regimens without success, you may be a suitable candidate for weight loss surgery in Pune.

If any of the following apply to you, you are likely to be a suitable candidate for weight loss surgery:

• If you\’ve BMI higher than 32.5 along with any metabolic/related diseases
• Your BMI is above 37.5 even in the absence of any other diseases
• If you\’ve BMI above 30 and uncontrolled type 2 diabetes along with central obesity.

 

1. MYTH: Only fit people will qualify for bariatric surgery

Fact: The majority of persons who undergo weight loss surgery have obesity-related health issues. Some of these persons have minor variants of the illnesses, while others have more serious ones. An expert bariatric surgeon evaluates each person to determine their surgical readiness.

 

1. MYTH: One has to stay for long in hospital after bariatric surgery

Fact: The hospital stay is now limited to two days due to technological advancements. After the fourth or fifth day of surgery, some people return to work.

From the second day after surgery, physical activities such as walking, climbing stairs, and modest stretching exercises are permitted.

 

1. MYTH: One has to be on a strict diet plan for lifelong after bariatric surgery.

Fact: After bariatric surgery, patients must follow a two-week liquid diet followed by a soft diet and a normal diet. For the first few months, one must adhere to a strict diet, but they have various food options to pick from. Maintaining weight loss should be a top concern; therefore, one should carefully monitor their eating habits. A high-calorie liquid diet or excessive alcohol use can cause bariatric surgeries to fail.

 

1. MYTH: One has to be a certain age to have weight loss surgery.

Fact: Patients between the ages of 18 and 70 can usually have bariatric surgery. However, in extraordinary instances, children as young as 8-9 years old have had weight loss surgery.

 

1. MYTH: Bariatric surgery will only make you lose weight.

Fact: Bariatric surgery is the only long-term weight loss approach that will make you look attractive while also addressing complex comorbidities. According to studies after bariatric surgery, individuals are no longer using drugs for hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea, infertility, dyslipidemia, or osteoarthritis. In addition, bariatric surgery has been shown to boost female fertility. After bariatric surgery, morbidly obese women who had failed many IVF attempts had successful pregnancies.

 

1. MYTH: The patient will have a large incision and a big scar after bariatric surgery.

Fact: Minimally invasive surgery is now used to do bariatric surgery (laparoscopy gastric bypass surgery or robotics). Normally, five tiny punctures on the abdomen are required. The scars will fade over time and will finally disappear.