When Asking For Bariatric Surgery New York Patients Need To Be Serious About Losing Weight

Obesity and serious overweight problems are fast becoming one of the most prevalent health problems all over the world. Obese people have many problems. They struggle to move around, they often develop depression and they often even loathe their own bodies. They also easily contract diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, heart disease and a host of other life threatening conditions. This places an enormous strain on the health care sector. However, with bariatric surgery New York patients may get a chance to change their lives.

This type of surgery is seen as a drastic intervention and surgeons are very careful before accepting a patient. Patients have to be prepared for the surgery for at least six months. During this period the surgeon wants to make sure that the patient is indeed serious about losing weight and that they are making a sincere effort to change their life styles. Surgeons also want to be sure that patients do not merely see the surgery as a quick fix.

Most patients find this preparation period very difficult because they are required to make a complete paradigm shift. Many of them see therapists to help them stay motivated to not just lose weight, but to lose it permanently. Candidates for the procedure has to embrace the fact that they will have to change their habits and the entire way in which they deal with food.

There are other factors that may disqualify potential patients. Those using tobacco products are summarily refused. Smoking can easily lead to blood clots and this can cause serious complications during the lengthy operation. Patients need to forego all tobacco products for at least six months. It is also highly advisable to stop using any alcohol because it can cause the sugar levels in the blood to fluctuate.

Giving up smoking and alcohol are not the only sacrifices patients must make. They must also change their diets dramatically. Sugar and caffeine must be given up totally. Water must be used during every meal and each meal must consist of some form of protein. Patients are advised to eat a few smaller meals each day rather than two or three big ones. Patients have to lose at least some weight prior to the operation.

Fitter and healthier patients have much shorter recovery times after the operation. They are therefore encourage to take up low impact activities such as swimming, yoga, walking and cycling. This will not only increase their fitness levels, but it will also increase their flexibility and muscle strength. Patients are also told how exercise over the long term can help them to prevent gaining weight once more.

Because this procedure is dramatically invasive, patients must expect extensive bruising and a period of at least two weeks of severe discomfort. Most patients also struggle to walk or even to bend down. These side effects of the surgery will resolve themselves within two weeks, however. Patients also have to avoid the consumption of any solid food for a few weeks after the operation.

This type of operation is most certainly not a quick fix for a serious weight problem. Surgeons are extremely careful in selecting only highly motivated patients that truly want to permanently change their lives. Those that succeed can most certainly look forward to a new lease on life.