How life changes after weight loss surgery

While the biggest change after weight loss surgery is obviously the weight loss itself, there are many others that occur. BayChoice Bariatric Center in Houston, Texas, offers extensive surgical aftercare support to help patients adjust to lifestyle changes, including health assessment, exercise, healthy eating and emotional transformation.

Reduction of medications after weight loss surgery

Initially patients often notice the reduction of medications needed due to fewer associated diseases of obesity, like asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesterol and degenerative joint disease.

A recent Cleveland Clinic study found that weight loss surgery actually rids the body of diabetes within days, (Read more about how BayChoice Bariatric Center aids in the remission of diabetes after weight loss surgery here) and the National Institutes of Health reports that gastric bypass surgery significantly improves the symptoms of sleep apnea and can allow patients to discontinue CPAP therapy in as little as one month after surgery.

Exercise and increased activity after weight loss surgery

For individuals who previously couldn’t exercise because of weight or medical complications, the reduction of weight after surgery means both the opportunity and commitment to a more active lifestyle.

Al Roker, meteorologist for the Today Show, lost 100 pounds after weight loss surgery. He most enjoys playing with his children and no longer suffering from aching knees and breathing difficulties. “Exercising is what I need for my metabolism and for a better sense of well-being,” Roker told US News. 

For musician Carnie Wilson, who underwent weight loss surgery again in 2011, the decision to exercise is a daily one: "I go through periods where I'm not doing as much as I might. I come back to exercise without being guilty about missing a day or two," she told People magazine.

Exercise for post-weight loss surgery patients:

·       Walking for short periods of time, several times a day, is a great way to start. That activity can slowly increase to 30 to 45 minutes of activity daily.

·       In addition to cardio, strength training is important to maintain muscle.

·       Roker’s workout regimen involves a combination of cardio, weights and strength training five days a week.

·       Wilson’s routine includes walking and aerobics three to five days a week.

Changes in eating habits after weight loss surgery

After weight loss surgery, patients must rethink meal sizes and the types of food to eat. The new stomach requires several small meals daily avoiding rich, sweet or fried foods which can lead to unpleasant side effects.

Roker adheres to the rule of thumb to eat protein first, drink water later and not snack between meals. “I used to look at a pint of Häagen-Dazs and call it a serving size. Now I know that I can have a couple of spoonfuls and I'm done. I'm more in control,” Roker told US News.

For Wilson, rethinking her eating habits has been an adjustment. "The surgery is a tool to assist in helping you get back your health, but you have to participate in your wellness by really being aware of what you eat," Wilson told People magazine.

Eating after weight loss surgery:

·       Patients should eat smaller, more frequent meals and quit eating when they are full.

·       Food should be weighed with a food scale to ensure consistency.

·       The best foods to eat include: chicken, fish, eggs, fresh fruit, salads (without rich, fattening dressings) and vegetables that aren’t carbohydrate laden (like potatoes, carrots and peas).

·       Meals need to be eaten in small bites and chewed slowly.

·       Liquids should be avoided during the meal as they cause food to liquefy in the pouch too soon, which causes you to eat more.

The support network at BayChoice Bariatric Center in Houston, Texas, ensures that patients have access to bariatric nurses and support groups that can continually help individuals post-surgery to make smart food choices and adjust eating habits as needed.

Emotional changes after weight loss surgery

The changing of both the body and lifestyle means that patients can expect major emotional shifts after weight loss surgery. While many of those changes are positive, including higher self-esteem, more confidence and a reduction in depression, there are important steps to take as your metabolism shifts.

Carnie Wilson notes that emotionally, "my life is richer in the year since the surgery because I'm more willing to experience things, good or bad, without trying to stuff those feelings by eating. But it doesn't mean I'm always happy. Like everyone else, I have challenges."

Roker notes that his weight put a major strain on his marriage before weight loss surgery. “Al’s weight had been a source of tension for years. I was deeply concerned about his health. I nagged him mercilessly,” Deborah Roberts, Roker’s wife, told People magazine.

Journaling feelings, participating in support groups and undergoing clinical hypnotheraphy, all offered by BayChoice Bariatric Center in Houston, Texas, are critical to the aftercare process. For many, eating is an emotional choice, and those feelings must be discovered and worked through for full weight loss success to occur.

For more information about the aftercare provided by BayChoice Bariatric Center, contact Dr. Kenneth Hollis at 281-482-5300.

Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery Aids in Remission of Diabetes

A recent Cleveland Clinic study found that gastric bypass surgery actually rids the body of diabetes within days. In India and China, which together account for half the world’s diabetics, bariatric weight loss surgery is now being endorsed over pills or insulin to reverse the disease. While genetics definitely play a part in a person’s risk of diabetes, weight and diabetes also go hand in hand. Dr. Kenneth W. Hollis of BayChoice Bariatric Center in Houston, Texas, is a firm proponent that morbidly obese diabetics can achieve a healthy lifestyle through gastric bypass surgery. 

 

The breakdown of diabetes in the United States:

·      Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.

·      As of 2010, more than 26 million Americans have the disease.

·      More than 11 percent of adults over the age of 20 are diabetic.

·      Being even slightly overweight increases diabetes risk five times, while being seriously obese increase it 60 times. 

A vicious cycle-type 2 diabetes and weight gain

Type 2 diabetes is often linked to weight gain and accounts for approximately 90 percent of all diabetes cases. The blood glucose-lowering medications necessary for individuals with type 2 can cause weight gain, which in turn worsens blood glucose control and leads to a vicious cycle of more medication and more weight gain. 

According to the National Institutes of Health, 85 percent of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese. A 5 to 10 percent weight loss in individuals with type 2 can improve the disease dramatically. Those at risk can significantly lower their chances of developing the disease with a 5 to 7 percent loss of body weight.  

Bariatric weight loss surgery reverses diabetes

While balancing medications, eating well and exercising can make a big impact on excess body fat, Dr. Kenneth W. Hollis of BayChoice Bariatric Center in Houston, Texas believes some individuals just aren’t successful with those methods and need an alternative solution. Many of his patients have chosen bariatric surgery experiencing wonderful outcomes.  

According to Diabetes Forecast Magazine, gastric bypass surgery results in remission of type 2 diabetes in most patients independent of weight loss. The reduction of the size of the stomach causes hormones in the stomach to change, also inducing the pancreas to start producing insulin again. 

Significant positive results

·      The American Diabetes Association reports that recent bariatric weight loss surgeries resolved diabetes in 76 percent of patients and resolved or improved the disease in 86 percent.

·      Gastric bypass surgery performed early in the course of an individual’s diabetes is more likely to produce remission.

·      The Cleveland Clinic’s long-term results demonstrated 61 percent of patients were still in full or partial remission six years after surgery, with an additional 31 percent showing significant improvement in their metabolic profile. 

BayChoice promotes after care and maintenance

·      The study also reported the importance of aftercare and maintenance. BayChoice Bariatric Center in Houston, Texas promotes and offers support groups for post-surgical patients including healthy weight management and hypnosis classes. Dr. Hollis recommends these for all his patients. 

Additional information

More information on these procedures or support groups can be found at www.baychoicebariatrics.com, or you can reach Dr. Hollis office by contacting him at 281-482-5300.

What Is Bariatric Surgery?

More than 90 million people in the United States currently suffer from obesity. Beyond the emotional and self-esteem struggles, the disease also leads to medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, asthma, reflux, infertility and osteoarthritis.

Bariatric surgery can offer a solution for morbidly obese individuals who have failed to lose weight through diet, exercise and/or medication. Primary care physicians report seeing the rise in obesity as a major contributing factor to diabetes, and they are reaching out to bariatric surgeons for help with these patients. According to the Harvard Gazette, roughly 30 percent of overweight people have type 2 diabetes.

Seeking weight loss through bariatric surgery may be the only cure leading to improvement of overall health and emotional wellness for certain obese patients. As high-profile individuals like Al Roker, Chris Christie and Lisa Lampenelli share their struggles with obesity and the success they’ve achieved through bariatric weight loss surgery, these procedures are receiving the positive recognition they deserve.

In essence, bariatric surgery decreases the size of the stomach, reducing the amount of food an individual can eat. These procedures can lead to significant long-term weight loss (up to 70 percent of excess body weight), recovery from diabetes, improvement in cardiovascular risk factors and a reduction in mortality.

How do I know if I am a candidate for bariatric surgery?

The first step in determining whether bariatric surgery is right for you is to check your body mass index. The U.S. National Institutes of Health recommends bariatric weight loss surgery for individuals with a BMI of at least 40 and for those with a BMI of 35 who also have serious medical conditions.

If your BMI falls within those ranges or you want more information, sign up to attend one of BayChoice Bariatric Center’s free seminars. The speaker and noted bariatric surgeon Kenneth Hollis, M.D. will discuss his experience with these procedures as well as advantages and disadvantages of each.

What are my surgical options?

Options can include:

· Gastric sleeve permanently removes a portion of the stomach.

· Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (or LAP-BAND ®) involves securing a band around the upper stomach, creating a smaller pouch to receive and store food. The band can be adjusted post-surgery to ensure optimum results.

· Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) permanently creates a smaller pouch in the upper stomach, which is attached directly to the small intestine.

· Revisional bariatric surgery is for patients who have had unsuccessful weight loss surgery performed in the past, noted by medical complications or excessive weight gain since the initial operation.

What can help me maintain a healthy weight post-surgery?

Procedure aftercare is instrumental in patient success, so it is important to choose a bariatric center offering a certified bariatric nurse who can provide counseling for appropriate nutrition and exercise. Because the emotional journey is just as important as the physical one, finding a trained and licensed professional offering clinical hypnotherapy is critical for a positive surgical experience and long-term success. To find more information on this program, including how to overcome fears of food and adapting to a healthy post-surgical lifestyle, please request a brochure on our website.

Where is a clinic in Houston, Texas that can offer all of these procedures and support groups?

Dr. Kenneth W. Hollis at BayChoice Bariatric Center in Houston, Texas, has performed hundreds of bariatric surgeries and has witnessed life-altering results that enable his patients to live longer, healthier, happier lives. He evaluates each patient’s current health and weight-loss goals, carefully choosing the surgical procedure that is perfect for him or her. His nurse practitioner, Beth Kramer, is clinically trained and certified in Bariatrics and Clinical Hypnotherapy offering comprehensive pre- and post-treatment care.