If you find it challenging to meet your weight goals, bariatric surgery may be the weight-loss solution you need.There are several types of bariatric surgery, all of which set the stage for significant weight loss, allowing patients to improve their overall health and boost their sense of self.
For overweight men and women who are ready to lose weight, the doctors at LIMARP in Tijuana, MX can help you choose which weight loss method is best for your needs. Please find information below comparing two of the most popular weight loss methods: bariatric surgery vs. dieting.
What Is Bariatric Surgery?
A number of different operations fall into the category of bariatric surgery. All of these surgeries restrict your ability to intake calories, either by reducing calories consumed or by calorie absorption.
A type of surgery that inhibits calories consumption, gastric banding, involves placing a band around the stomach to reduce stomach size.
On the other hand, gastric bypass involves altering the stomach and digestive tract so fewer calories are consumed and absorbed.
Favorable Weight Loss Rates with Bariatric Surgery
Studies show that most patients lose significant weight in the months after their bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery patients overwhelmingly maintain long-term weight-loss at rates equal to or more than 50 percent of excess body weight.
Long-term data show that about half of bariatric surgery patients regain approximately 5 percent of the lost weight back within two or more years after their operation.
Dieting and Weight Loss
Prior to undergoing bariatric surgery, overweight individuals will need to have tried to lose weight through non-surgical methods. This includes exercising regularly and eating a nutrient-rich, low-calorie diet that is relies mostly on the following foods:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Lean proteins, like chicken and fish
- Multigrains, like brown rice and whole wheat bread
Consuming a healthy diet can help you lose excess pounds and improve blood sugar levels.
Unfortunately, for some overweight individuals, eating a healthy diet is not enough by itself to achieve weight loss goals.
When You May Need a Bariatric Procedure
Losing weight through diet and exercise takes time, often months or years. For some people, this approach to weight loss takes too long; patients may need to lose weight quickly.
This includes the morbidly obese, which is defined as people with a BMI of 40 or more, or with a BMI of at least 35 and co-morbidities like diabetes.
In sum, the rapid weight loss resulting from bariatric surgery is the best option for the health of people considered morbidly obese.
When Dieting May Be Enough
As with any operation, there is a risk of infection associated with bariatric surgery. Additionally, many patients have to manage nutritional deficiencies resulting from the inhibited uptake of certain nutrients following surgery.
Besides wanting to avoid these side effects, some patients decide that the financial costs of the surgery are too great. In these instances, patients may want to continue attempting weight loss through diet and exercise.
Contact LIMARP Today
Patients who find it challenging to lose weight through diet and exercise may need bariatric surgery to achieve a healthy weight and lifestyle. Learn more by calling (619) 373-0229, or filling out our online form.
