To the millions of people around the world suffering from obesity, weight loss surgery might seem like a miracle cure. There are different types of weight loss surgery, and this option is usually only recommended to those with a BMI (body mass index) of 40 or above, (or 35 and above with a comorbid condition such as hypertension or diabetes,) who have tried and failed to lose weight through other means.
Extra weight, especially enough extra weight to categorize a person as being “obese,” puts a lot of stress and strain on the body. The same process that leads to weight gain in most people (eating too much fatty and starchy food over long periods of time) also leads to insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes. Obesity complicates existing conditions such as asthma, COPD, hypertension, arthritis, and a whole list of others. Being overweight can lead to aches and pains at a much younger age than a patient would normally experience these symptoms, and can contribute to heart problems.
Add to these problems the fact that society generally considers being overweight to be quite unattractive, and the result is many obese people who are willing to consider anything to lose weight, including elective surgery. Most doctors will not consider referring patients for weight loss surgery unless other methods of losing weight, such as changes to diet and exercise routines or medications, have already been attempted unsuccessfully.
Some doctors prefer to try HGH injections before resorting to weight loss surgery, as HGH injections are less invasive. HGH is human growth hormone, and it occurs naturally in the body. Levels peak in the late teens, which is when we have the most energy, most lean muscle mass, and least fat mass. Dropping HGH levels as we age contribute to lower energy levels and higher amounts of fat mass, so HGH injections can help patients lose weight and feel younger at the same time. The FDA has approved HGH for weight loss, but there is a controversy surrounding the use of HGH off-label as an anti-aging miracle cure. Many people who are obese use natural HGH products or HGH precursors such as HGH Advanced, HGR1000, and Genf20 Plus to successfully lose weight and keep it off.
If your doctor doesn’t think that HGH injections are the right solution for you, the good news is that there are several weight loss surgeries that are safe and have a high rate of success.
Types of Weight Loss Surgeries
Although many people refer to all weight loss surgeries as “gastric bypass” there are actually many different surgeries, and they all have different names. There are several malabsorptive procedures, which are so named because they interfere with the stomach’s ability to absorb nutrients. This is usually done by removing certain areas of the stomach or small intestine. Although these types of surgeries can be very effective, they reduce nutrient absorption so much that patients are dependent on supplements and vitamins for the rest of their lives. Some patients experience problems with malnutrition and require a reversal of these procedures.
Reductive procedures work by reducing the stomach capacity, although what remains of the stomach is still fully capable of absorbing food. The reduction in size causes a quick feeling of fullness, and consuming more food causes feelings of bloat, discomfort, and nausea. Continuing to eat despite this discomfort will result in vomiting. Patients usually lose a significant amount of weight with this procedure, but it is important to adhere to healthier eating patterns post-surgery. While the stomach is healing it is in a delicate state, and after it has healed, a patient who stubbornly overeats time and time again may succeed in stretching the stomach (or popping the staples in the case of a stomach stapling.)
Some surgeries rely on removable devices to achieve the effect of shrinking the stomach. Some procedures place a band around the stomach that creates a small, pre-stomach “pouch” out of the upper stomach. This forces the patient to eat small amounts at a time, several times throughout the day, since the small pouch fills very quickly, and only slowly empties into the stomach. If a patient tries to eat larger amounts, nausea and/or vomiting will be the result. Many obese patients have experienced excellent results with this procedure.
To get the best results from a weight loss surgery, you must be truly committed to your weight loss. If you find that you overeat even when it makes you very uncomfortable, this is not the best option for you. If you have succeeded in eating smaller and healthier amounts of food, but still have not been able to lose weight, than surgery might be a good option. When performed by experienced surgeons, weight loss surgery usually has few complications, and a high success rate.
Losing weight can help you look and feel years younger, and achieve a healthy self-confidence that you may have never thought was possible. Many patients who have opted for weight loss surgery report that they “feel like I have my life back” and are overjoyed at being able to return to levels of activity they maintained when they were younger. If it sounds as though this weight loss option may be right for you, consult your doctor.
