More and more people with weight issues are opting for weight loss surgery such as vertical sleeve surgery or gastric bypass because they have tried everything and feel it is the best way to lose that excess weight. Many people believe that surgery is their last chance at obtaining a great figure and combating their eating habits. Here are some of the common myths of weight loss surgeries and their actual realities explained.
You never gain weight ever again. The surgery is merely a tool to lose weight. You need to maintain the weight loss and there is no guarantee that you will be thin for the rest of your life post-surgery. That’s why doctors create new diet plans for patients that they have to stick to in order to be successful.
You will never be hungry. What normally happens after surgery is that you will experience a withdrawal symptom from meals for a long period. After some time, your normal appetite will come back; but to satisfy your hunger you will only need a smaller portion of food.
It’s the easy way out for losing weight. It is not an easy way out. A person has to go through many meticulous psychological and physical tests to ensure they are an ideal candidate for weight loss surgery.
Female patients are unable to conceive post-surgery. Post-op, many female patients find it easier to conceive. If you do not want to get pregnant, it is advisable to use two types of birth controls for at least one year.
It is a risky surgery. A majority of people associate this type of surgery with a high risk of death. That is not the reality of it… at all. The death rate is about ½ to 1%, which is why only an experienced surgeon executes the surgery. (The risk for other surgeries is higher, just to put things in perspective.)
You will have a great body. It is not a guarantee, as there will be excess skin that you have to deal with. Exercise frequently to tone your body and to lose more weight. Remember: weight loss surgery is a tool to lose weight; it’s not going to do all the work.
You have to pay for your own surgery. This may be true in some cases, which is why you need to check with your health insurance company if they cover weight loss surgery. Medicare now covers certain weight loss procedures, so be sure to check into that.
About the Author Jamie Eberle is the Chief Financial Officer of BeLiteWeight, which has helped over 6,500 patients have safe, affordable and successful weight loss surgery over the past 20 years. Jamie has had bariatric surgery and knows the ins and outs of the different procedures they run, including: gastric sleeve surgery, gastric sleeve plication, Lap Band and gastric bypass surgery, among others. BeLiteWeight focuses on each patient’s needs to help them choose the right procedure and get started on the path to a healthier life.