| One of the most commonly-performed surgical | | | | risk for complications during and following surgery. |
| procedures in US hospitals today is weight loss | | | | Many patients are required to lose a specific |
| surgery. Like any surgery, there are many risks | | | | amount of weight before they will be allowed to |
| involved with bariatric surgery. In fact, with this | | | | undergo any bariatric surgery procedure to make |
| type of surgery, there are even more risks than | | | | sure that they will be at as little risk as possible. |
| normal, so it is essential that patients considering | | | | Many patients think that while they are waiting to |
| bariatric surgery learn as much as they can about | | | | have their surgery, they can splurge on their |
| the procedure so that they can get through it and | | | | favorite treats because they won't be able to |
| recover as quickly as possible. | | | | have them following the procedure. This is the |
| Bariatric surgery is often a last resort for many | | | | wrong way to behave prior to any surgical |
| people who are extremely overweight or obese. | | | | procedure, especially bariatric surgery. Patients |
| They have probably already tried every diet out | | | | need to learn about good nutrition and begin |
| there known to man, with little to no success. | | | | following a healthy, well-balanced diet long before |
| Because of this, many patients, in addition to | | | | their surgery. This is to ensure that they are |
| having the physical problems associated with | | | | going to be healthy enough to undergo the |
| obesity, are also suffering from a number of | | | | procedure, as well as to prove to their physicians |
| psychological issues, including poor self-image. | | | | that they have the willpower and the desire to |
| Often, their only remaining option is to have | | | | really lose the weight. |
| surgery that will kick-start the weight loss process | | | | It isn't really all that difficult to follow a healthy |
| and get them on the road to good health, both | | | | diet. In fact, there are all kinds of delicious foods |
| physically and psychologically. | | | | that can be incorporated into most people's diets, |
| The Three Phases of Weight Loss Surgery | | | | from meats to fish and poultry to milk and milk |
| There are three phases in the weight loss surgery | | | | products to whole grains to beans and other |
| process: preparation, the surgical recovery stage | | | | vegetables. There are many great dietary |
| and the postoperative stage. Each of these | | | | sources of protein, and it is essential that patients |
| phases requires a great deal of studying and | | | | considering bariatric surgery consult with their |
| preparation, and this is something that the | | | | physicians, nutritionists or dietitians to ensure that |
| patient's physician can help them with. For | | | | they will be using a diet that will provide the |
| example, patients considering bariatric surgery | | | | nutrients they need to prepare for the surgery as |
| may need to lose weight prior to the procedure, | | | | well as for a quick and healthy recovery following |
| and their physician or nutritionist can help them to | | | | the weight loss surgical procedure. |
| create a diet plan that is tailored to their specific | | | | Nutritional Needs Following Weight Loss Surgery |
| nutritional needs. There are other things that | | | | Following weight loss surgery, and actually before |
| patients will need to learn about, including | | | | it as well, patients will be required to follow a very |
| information about the procedure itself. Remember, | | | | restricted diet that is low in fat and carbohydrates |
| the best way to prepare for surgery and recover | | | | but high in protein. Because they must eat a |
| later is to be as well-educated about the process | | | | number of small meals throughout the day but still |
| as possible. | | | | need the protein, they must eat food that is low |
| Preparation for Weight Loss Surgery | | | | in calories or use protein supplements to get all of |
| As mentioned above, patients who are considering | | | | the nutrients that they need without adding fat, |
| weight loss surgery will have to do a lot of | | | | carbohydrates and calories to their diets. One of |
| preparation themselves. For one thing, many | | | | the most essential nutrients the body needs for |
| physicians will not perform any type of bariatric | | | | great post-surgery recovery is protein, which |
| surgery (with the exception of the sleeve | | | | helps the muscles and soft tissues recover |
| gastrectomy) on patients with a BMI (Body Mass | | | | following bariatric surgery. |
| Index) of 40 or higher, as they are at a higher | | | | |