Weight
Loss Surgery Risks
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There are many people who consider weight
loss surgery as a way to shed the excess pounds. Patients
that qualify for this kind of surgery must qualify. The
general guidelines are that a patient should weigh 100
pounds or more over their ideal weight. Weight loss surgery
is often considered a last resort to losing many pounds.
Patients can expect to lose the extra weight quite easily,
but should expect some short-term side effects after
surgery.
When patients have weight loss surgery,
doctors usually stress to these patients, that this type of
surgery is not a quick fix. In addition, the surgery cannot
work alone. Patients must make a solid commitment to change
their attitudes and habits.
Weight loss surgery patients must change
their eating habits after surgery. |
There are certain foods these patients must avoid
and they must eat in much smaller portions. Exercise must also
be added to aid weight loss surgery. Patients should also change
their attitudes towards eating and food.
Although weight loss surgery can help patients lose
weight rather quickly, patients will experience some short-term side
effects. These side effects can range from nausea and vomiting,
abdominal pain and what is called the “dumping syndrome”. Nausea is
reported in almost all weight loss surgery patients. This is because
during surgery, a smaller stomach pouch is made and only very small
amounts of food can be eaten. When the wrong foods or too much, the
result can be nausea. It may take patients some time to learn how much
food can be eaten at one time. It is important to control this because
vomiting can lead to problems with the stomach after surgery. If the
Lap-Band surgery is performed, excess vomiting can lead to the band
slipping out of place.
Another problem following weight loss surgery is what
is called the dumping syndrome. This can be caused when food is passed
too quickly from the stomach to the intestines. The result can be
severe abdominal cramping, sweating, nausea and diarrhea. In order to
prevent this common problem following weight loss surgery, patients
are encouraged to eat not more than one or two ounces at a time and to
chew food thoroughly. Also, fluids should not be taken with meals.
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This can make the food pass more quickly
through the body. The dumping syndrome is often a normal
part of these types of surgery and it something is usually
not a long term side effect. Constipation can also be a
problem for some patients. This is because foods high in
fiber are not recommended following surgery. This is often a
short-term problem and can be easily corrected.
In addition, other side effects from weight
loss surgery can include vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
This can be caused from a reduced amount of food intake and
less caloric intake. Anemia is also a common problem after
surgery. Most of these can be corrected with daily
supplements. Following weight loss surgery, a doctor will
recommend types of foods and vitamins that should be taken
on a daily basis. |
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