When Morbidly Obese, Surgery Might Be The Only Way To Save Your Life

If you or someone you love is morbidly obese, you may wan to consider gastric bypass surgery as an alternative to dietary modification. While gastric bypass surgery for obesity is an extreme step to take in weight management, for many, it is the only way to regain control of their body and health issues.

Defining Morbidly Obese And How Surgery Makes A Difference

Individuals that are medically “morbidly obese” suffer many different health problems and face many health concerns each day that they remain morbidly obese. If a person weighs twice they’re medically identified “ideal” weight, their risk of an early death doubles. In addition, they have a 5-7 times greater risk from death involving diabetes or a heart attack. It is also proven that people that gain a large amount of weight reach a point where losing it can become untreatable and the health issues will undoubtedly lead to an early death.

Causes For Obesity Are Not Always Genetic

Causes for obesity range from genetics to family lifestyle choices. Many children “learn” obesity from their parent’s; in their eating habits, attitudes towards exercise and the amount of time spent watching television, working at a computer or playing video games. Many lifestyle behaviors are learned within the family home and obesity is a very valid example of one of those behaviors.

Gastric Bypass Surgery Provides An Alternative To An Obese Lifestyle

If you or someone you love is trying to lose excess weight and is having a difficult time doing so, you may consider the gastric bypass obesity surgery. There are many people that have only been able to lose the weight by having this obesity surgery done. For an individual with many health concerns and a considerable amount of weight to lose, gastric bypass surgery provides immediate resolution to obesity and its complications.

Gastric Bypass Surgery for obesity is a permanent surgery. It is a procedure in which the surgeon creates a small stomach and then builds a “bypass” by which most of the food consumed actually skips the small intestine and passes through the body. This prevents the small intestine from processing the food and absorbing the fat, calories and nutrients. With this surgery, most individuals begin losing weight immediately. For most, this procedure immediately improves the quality of life for the patient and reduces many of the medical concerns as the weight of the patient decreases.

Medical studies have found both advantages and disadvantages to an obesity surgery of this nature. It is a permanent surgery that initially must be monitored closely along with a strict dietary modification to accommodate the surgery itself. It is important to review both the advantages and disadvantages completely before deciding if this surgery is the answer for you and your loved ones.

The Different Obesity Surgery Support Options

Obesity is a serious and affecting disease, not only physically but internally as well. People who suffer from obesity tend to have incredibly low self-esteem and self-confidence, and although this is certainly important, it is not nearly as detrimental as the health problems that obesity can cause.

If you are obese and you have tried every other method of treatment that is available and nothing seems to be working, then your doctor may just recommend surgery for you. Obesity surgery is a very serious and yet generally very rewarding option, however it is typically only used as a last resort and so it is definitely not something that you would consider having done at the beginning of your obesity problem.

Obesity Surgery Support

Before and after your obesity surgery, you are going to need obesity surgery support of some sort, which is support that is given by organizations in order to support those people who have had or are interested in this weight loss surgery option.

Your Obesity Surgery Support Options

There are numerous different obesity surgery support options that you have to choose from, and so the one that you should go with will basically be the one that is located closest to you, simply for convenience reasons however you can choose whichever one you want.

One option in particular is the New Jersey Bariatrics Obesity Surgery Support Group, and their primary goal is to serve as a means for exchanging information and developing a communal support network among those patients who have had similar types of surgery. Prospective patients are also welcome to this group, and in fact, those individuals who are considering gastric restrictive surgery as a possible solution for achieving long-term weight loss are encouraged to sit in on meetings.

This particular support group is managed by the New Jersey Bariatrics team, and under the direction of Robert E. Brolin, MD, this team is one which works with incoming patients in order to help make their treatment as comfortable and stress free as they possibly can.

This is just one of the various support teams that are available in New Jersey, and there are bound to be at least a few similar to this available in your own area, so you just have to take a bit of time and check out your options, before deciding on any particular one, so that you can choose the best one for you.

Using Obesity Surgery Specialists

Many folks who are defined as obese are turning to a surgery option for assisting in their weight reduction. Obesity surgery specialists are of two main types, bariatric surgeons who focus on modifying the stomach and intestinal systems to promote a healthier set of eating habits, and plastic surgeons.

Modifications To The Human Digestive System

Although surgery is often considered a drastic treatment, obesity surgery specialists are able to provide several alternatives. Traditional obesity surgery specialists focused on rerouting the intestinal track and physically modifying the size of the stomach as well. This is what is known as stomach stapling.

The most major problem with this is that it actually changes the way the body has to metabolize the food you eat, as well as, physically modifying your organs. Although successful in the majority of cases, most obesity surgery specialists would regard this alternative as a last resort as it is almost practically irreversible and is regarded as major surgery.

The more common technique that is now offered is banding. This allows the obesity surgery specialists to operate with a minimally invasive technique to provide an adjustable modification to the size of the stomach. In this way the stomach gets fuller more quickly and better eating habits are promoted.

Both surgeries, many folks would say, often mean that it actually becomes harder to eat and a number of folks lose their desire to eat in the manner they once enjoyed. This actually is a downside to the procedure, but the weight loss and the improved feeling of wellness experienced by most compensate for this.

The Use of Plastic Surgery

Other forms of obesity surgery specialists are those that perform plastic surgery. Many would consider liposuction as a weight reduction mechanism, but it does not promote better habits, and is primarily cosmetic. Although there is usually some temporary weight loss and you may look better, most obesity surgery specialists would prefer this procedure to be used in conjunction with some other weight management technique.

The other focus for plastic surgeons who regard themselves as obesity surgery specialists is the reduction of unwanted skin and general cosmetic surgeries that many feel is necessary once they have accomplished their weight loss.

Correcting the Eating Habit

Most, if not all, true obesity surgery specialists would regard their primary goal to provide their patient with a way to control their eating habits and promote the intake of higher quality proteins and complex sources of energy rather than sugars. Having a smaller stomach means that the patient literally has to control the types of food they eat or they feel unwell. Once this is achieved and careful weight loss begins, then more exercise becomes a factor and a condition of wellness results.

Do You Know The Side Effects Of Obesity Surgery?

Traditional obesity surgery—often referred to as gastric bypass surgery—accomplishes two goals. First, the stomach is stapled so that the small pouch left can only hold a small amount of food. Second, the small pouch of stomach is attached directly to the middle portion of the small intestine so that it bypasses (hence the name) the upper portion of the small intestine where nutrients and calories are absorbed.

Of course, any time you so dramatically alter the human body, you can expect side effects, and obesity surgery is no exception. There are several reported side effects of obesity surgery. Five of the more common ones are as follows:

Side Effects Of Obesity Surgery #1: Decreased Ability To Absorb Minerals

If calories and nutrients can’t be properly absorbed, it makes sense that the minerals the body needs to function will not be properly absorbed, either. Almost all patients who have been through gastric bypass surgery must take vitamins with iron and calcium. Almost ¼ of gastric bypass patients require monthly injections of Vitamin B12.

Side Effects Of Obesity Surgery #2: Hibernation Syndrome

In addition to the trauma of going through a surgical procedure, the body, which now is no longer absorbing nutrients properly, sends a signal to the brain that it is starving. The brain immediately decreases all non-essential activities so that the patient can survive the “famine.” This may cause the patient to feel extremely tired with no energy to get up and move, go to work, complete household chores, or pay attention to children. Additionally, the patient may become depressed over their lethargic condition. Hibernation typically only lasts a few weeks, long enough for the body to adjust to its new circumstances, but the sheer exhaustion involved makes this time period feel like it will last forever.

Side Effects Of Obesity Surgery #3: Dumping Syndrome

This syndrome is as bad as it sounds. Because part of the bowel has been bypassed, people who have had gastric bypass surgery may feel sudden, intense urges to defecate. Some obesity surgery patients report occasional incontinence of bowel.

Side Effects of Obesity Surgery #4: Loose Skin

Obesity surgery does help people lose weight rapidly. When very heavy people lose weight fast, their skin becomes loose, almost like a garment they have outgrown. Those who have lost weight with obesity surgery often complain of unattractive loose folds of skin hanging from their bodies. This skin can’t be toned, because there is no muscle in it to tone (the muscle lies underneath the skin). Typically, cosmetic surgery, which most insurance companies will not pay for, is the only way to get rid of unwanted loose skin.

Side Effects of Obesity Surgery #5: Regaining Weight

Even a stapled stomach can be slowly expanded to hold more food. Just like people who try other diets, many people who go through the trauma of weight loss surgery find themselves regaining the weight they lost and then some.

Gastric bypass surgery provides a way for patients whose lives are at risk to lose weight quickly, it is not without its problems. There are many side effects of obesity surgery, and some patients may find these side effects unacceptable. However you choose to lose weight, getting the pounds off and keeping them off will require lifestyle changes and self-discipline on your part. There is no magic cure for obesity.

Prozac And Obesity: Why Depression Is Common Among Obese People

For the past several years, some of the doctors have been known to give obese patients anti-depressant drugs such as Prozac to help them cope with their problems. Studies show that obesity and depression have become very closely related anti-depressant drugs, such as Prozac, and obesity seemed to be closely linked nowadays.

According to experts, people who take anti-depressants often suffer from insomnia and restlessness that can lead to several other forms of medical complications. What is more alarming is that people who have been taking anti-depressant drugs tend to suffer from withdrawal symptoms as soon as they are taken off the drugs. There have been so many reported cases of people who have been taken off their anti-depressant medication who became so depressed and suicidal that they are considered to be a danger to themselves and to others. In most cases, these people have to be taken into hospitals for close monitoring and treatment.

The link between Prozac and obesity has become so common in the past few years that several sectors have raised the alarm on the issue. According to some experts, in many cases, Prozac and obesity have become so closely related that some people have come see of this drug as a cure to obesity. Unfortunately, Prozac is designed to help people who are depressed and not to cure obesity. Prozac and obesity does not belong to the same category although the two of them are closely related to each other.

Getting Professional Help

Drugs should be used as a last resort when fighting obesity. Note that Prozac and obesity doesn’t have to go together all the time. There are ways and means to prevent obesity in the first place so we should all take advantage of these natural methods of preventing obesity. For instance, doing a lot of physical activities that will burn the calories that we have eaten will not only keep us slim, it will also build our muscles and keep us fit.

What is more interesting about doing exercise is that it helps us shake away the blues. Experts believe that doing physical activities are one of the most effective ways to fight off depression so instead of taking anti-depression drugs such as Prozac, one can shake off the blues by doing some brisk walking, jogging and other low impact physical exercises.

The Importance of Prevention of Obesity in Women

Obesity is a problem worldwide and with men and women of all races and ages. However, there are certain methods that can be used in order to prevent or at least strive to prevent obesity, and this is particularly important when it comes to women. This is because the overall effects of obesity on women is much more devastating than on men, and so women even more so need to take the issue of obesity seriously.

Prevention of Obesity in Women

The most important step is prevention, and so this means taking the proper and basically necessary steps in order to avoid becoming obese in the first place, rather than simply dealing with the problem once it is too late.

One of the most important steps in regards to the prevention of obesity in women is to make sure that they are getting the proper amount of exercise. Although you would think having children would keep you on the go all the time and thus offer you the proper amount of physical activity, this is actually not necessarily true.

In fact, although you may be on your feet running after your children all day every day, you need to make sure that you are getting actually physically exerting exercises in. Running around the house can in no way compare to a good half hour of crunches, squats, and leg lifts.

So even if you have several children that you tend after, you are nonetheless going to want to try and make sure that you get to the gym at least once a week, or even work out right in your home if you have to.

Another crucial step for the prevention of obesity in women involves the diet. A woman needs many more nutrients and vitamins than a man, and so you need to make sure that you are eating a healthy and balanced diet each and every day. This does not mean that you have to get the expected number of food servings, or be overly cautious about what you eat, but just make sure that you are eating lots of fruits and vegetables and drinking at least eight glasses of water a day.

Regular checkups are also vital for the prevention of obesity in women, and so you need to make sure that you go in frequently to see your doctor, so that they can keep an eye on you and keep up to date on your health.

Overall, if you are interested in the prevention of obesity in women and want to include yourself in this, then following the previously discussed steps is going to be your first and most important move. This is going to get you started on living a healthy and proper lifestyle, and not only are you at less odds of getting obese, but as well you will have less risk of being susceptible to other health problems as well.