How Effective Is Weight Loss Surgery?

For severely overweight individuals that have failed to see results from diet and exercise alone, weight-loss surgery has become the safest and most effective means of achieving significant weight loss. In fact, studies have shown that with diet and exercise alone, nearly 95% of obese patients will gain all the lost weight back within 5 years. On the other hand, long-term success rates for weight-loss surgery - including the LAP-BAND procedure - are remarkably high, allowing patients to maintain a loss of between 50-70% of their excess body weight. Though there are many factors that can impact an individual patient's weight-loss success, weight-loss surgery is simply the most effective long-term weight loss and healthy lifestyle solution for severely obese patients.

Studies show that most patients that undergo weight-loss surgery will lose between 50-70% of their excess body weight within the first three years following their procedure. Those that undergo gastric bypass surgery will lose excess body weight more rapidly in the first 12 months than those that choose LAP-BAND surgery. However, gastric bypass patients typically experience a greater number of complications and side effects than LAP-BAND patients, as the LAP-BAND procedure allows for more gradual and natural long-term weight loss.

From a clinical perspective, a weight-loss surgery is considered successful when the patient loses at least 50% of their excess body weight and keeps the weight off for at least five years. While important lifestyle changes need to be made to ensure that the weight loss is maintained in the long term, studies have shown that most weight loss surgery patients are able to maintain a 50-60% loss of excess body weight 10 years after the surgical procedure. However, it is important to note that a weight loss of just 10% of total body weight can begin to have positive health effects in resolution of obesity-related condition like asthma, gastric reflux (GERD), and diabetes. As weight-loss surgery is usually performed on patients that are at least 75-100 pounds overweight or have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 35 with a health condition, overall weight loss can range anywhere from 40 pounds to over 100 pounds. But the patient is really the leader behind achieving these results.

While patients will certainly look and feel better after weight-loss surgery, there are also numerous health benefits associated with successful weight loss. In most cases, health conditions that develop as a result of excessive body weight or are worsened by obesity can be improved upon or, in some cases, remedied by weight-loss surgery.

But there are other ways to measuring success with weight-loss surgery, like the LAP-BAND System. For instance, many weight loss surgery patients take great pride in being able to perform certain activities that may not have been possible for a number of years, like crossing their legs, bending over to tie a show, walking up stairs without being easily winded or sitting comfortably in an airplane seat.

While most patients that undergo weight-loss surgery experience incredibly positive results, there are many factors that can impact the overall success of an individual patient's procedure and follow-up treatment. Here are some important factors to consider as you try to determine whether weight loss surgery is right for you.

Pre-surgery Weight
Generally speaking, the higher a patient's pre-surgery weight or BMI, the more excess weight the patient can lose after surgery. However, recipients of weight-loss surgery with less excess body weight will eventually come closer to their ideal weight when committed to long-term diet and exercise. Also, resolution or improvement in obesity-related diseases can occur with even moderate amounts of weight. Often many diseases can become closer to cured than improved with earlier intervention at a lower weight.

Overall Health
While pre-existing health conditions can impact the overall success of weight-loss surgery (for instance, patients with type 2 Diabetes typically lose less excess body weight after surgery), studies have shown that many ailments linked to obesity are either improved upon or fall into remission after a successful procedure. For instance, a 2000 study performed on 500 weight loss surgery patients showed that nearly 96% of health conditions associated with obesity - such as high blood pressure, depression, sleep apnea, back pain and diabetes - improved greatly following loss of excess weight and long-term commitment to diet and exercise.

Surgical Procedure
As there are potential risks and complications associated with any surgical procedure, potential patients should always seek to have their weight-loss surgery performed by a trusted medical staff. Prospective patients should inquire about their surgeon's success rates with weight-loss surgery and listen to the experiences of former patients. Additionally, a patient's weight-loss success may also be impacted by the quality of post-surgery care and counseling provided by their bariatric outpatient facility.

Diet and Exercise
As diet and exercise are two of the most important factors in any weight loss plan, patients with the physical ability to exercise after weight-loss surgery have increased chances of meeting their goals. To maintain the weight loss achieved by surgery, both exercise and healthy eating habits must become integral parts of a patient's lifestyle.

Commitment
The ability to remain committed to suggested dietary guidelines, exercise regimens and any follow-up care recommended by the bariatric outpatient facility is important for both short-term weight loss and long-term weight management.

Motivation
Patients that are motivated to lose weight and willing to follow through with diet and exercise prior to receiving weight loss surgery may experience greater levels of success immediately following the procedure and in the long term. Most people did not find themselves severely obese overnight. It took years to reach that weight and therefore patients should be patient with the weight-loss process, which will also not occur overnight. Successful patients find small victories along the way to celebrate and stay motivated.

Support
As weight-loss surgery will require some time away from everyday activities, it is important to have the support of family, friends and coworkers before undergoing any surgical procedure. Furthermore, as the ongoing weight-loss process following bariatric surgery may require a certain level of emotional support, prospective patients may want to establish a support network - including friends and family members that can join in on exercise and healthy eating.

Considering that significant weight loss can not only remedy many health concerns, but also improve an individual's quality of life, the potential benefits of weight-loss surgery are plentiful. For severely overweight individuals that are unable to lose weight via diet and exercise alone, weight-loss surgery is the most effective method of losing weight - and keeping the weight off.

Carole S. Guinane, a Chief Clinical Officer writes articles about obesity and weight loss for New Hope Today.

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Excellent Dieting Tips For Weight Loss

Losing weight does not have to involve fad, crash diets. In fact, these particular diets can be very dangerous. Instead, you just need to make some small changes in your diet that you can maintain for the long haul. Read the below article to learn how you can follow a diet that will put you on the right track for weight-loss success.

First, change your eating schedule. Rather than consuming three larger meals, consume five or six smaller meals. This means you need to eat about every three to four hours. This will help keep your blood sugar levels steady. When your blood sugar levels get too high or too low, your metabolism will slow down, and weight gain will occur. Having steady blood sugar will help ensure your metabolism is running efficiently at all times. In addition, consuming frequent smaller meals will help prevent you from overeating during any particular meal.

Be sure you keep track of all the calories you consume every day in a journal. This means you will have to count the calories of everything that goes into your meals. Although this sounds like it is a hindrance, studies show that people who write down their daily caloric intake into a journal are twice as likely to lose weight and keep it off than those who don't. Therefore, it is an important tool in your weight-loss plan. Once you get used to counting calories, it will get easier. In fact, it will eventually become natural and you won't think twice about doing it.

Whenever you go to work, bring your lunch with you rather than going out. When you go out, you are much more likely to make unhealthy choices. Nowadays, virtually every location has a McDonald's, Burger King, Hardees, Sonic, Wendy's, etc. However, you need to avoid them because finding healthy food items is almost impossible to do. Although there are healthier alternatives, such as Subway, packing your own lunch is really the best way to ensure you don't sabotage your diet.

Don't forget to pack some snacks with you when going to work or elsewhere for at least several hours. This does not mean packing Reese's peanut butter cups, Hershey chocolate bars, etc. Instead, pack fruit, healthy whole-grain bars, and nuts. This will help keep your hunger at bay without packing on excess calories.
If you really enjoy certain types of unhealthy food, you do not have to completely eliminate them. In fact, you can still enjoy them sometimes. The key is to use moderation. For instance, if you love chocolate, it is actually okay to include a little chocolate every day. Aim to consume dark chocolate because this type of chocolate actually provides your body with antioxidants to keep you healthy. If you enjoy ice cream, it's okay to have a little bit every now and then. Just don't consume the entire carton in a matter of a couple of days. Moderation is key.

As this article demonstrates, it is possible to make small diet changes and produce large weight-loss numbers. Understand that you should not make radical changes, and crash diets never work out. Instead, you just need to change your mindset. Once this is done, weight loss is certain to occur.

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Healthy Foods - All About Good Things To Eat!

Did you know that our society is in the midst of a health craze? Any way you turn there is information about being healthier. Eating healthy foods is obviously one of the best ways to improve your health. However when people hear those two words they think of boring, bland foods that are widely available as a natural food co-op. Although healthy foods are things that you have eaten almost every day, at times just prepared in a different way.

Healthy foods as well as eating habits are pleasing both to the palate and plate. However one must remember that healthy foods is that the closer the food is to its natural state the healthier it is for you. Firstly you can start changing your eating habits to more healthy foods by cutting down on the number of prepared foods that you eat. Prepackaged foods are loaded with preservatives and artificial ingredients. Sure packaged foods are convenient, but healthy foods can be also, especially once you get into the habit of preparing them.

Healthy foods are very easy to prepare. In fact it doesn't take much time or money to eat healthy foods. Here is a simple example of a fantastic meal that is easy to prepare, low-priced and features healthy foods. Grill lean hamburger patties until well-cooked. Next place the patties on whole grain all natural hamburger buns. You can serve the burgers with a large tossed salad as well as a side of steamed green beans. Follow this easy meal with a serving of fresh fruit for dessert. This meal can be on your table in less than half an hour and involves all healthy foods.

Grilling or baking lean meats, fish or chicken does not take to long to prepare. Tossing a salad of fresh greens and vegetables can easily be done while the meat is cooking. Alternatively you can round out the meals by using fresh or frozen vegetables. For added variety to your meals you can try using different healthy foods that you haven't tasted before. Check the produce section of your local grocer which is stocked with a whole range of healthy foods including exotic fruits and vegetables. A good number produce sections offer recipes and tips to show how to prepare fruits and vegetables that you may not be familiar with. This is a great way to expose your children to a variety of healthy foods. Of course, you can experiment with many different fresh herbs that are also available in the produce sections that you can try to add different tastes to your meals.

You can prepare healthy foods on a regular basis to prepare fast nutritious meals. Healthy foods can also be used in more exotic recipes when you have the time. Healthy foods can also be prepared ahead of time and frozen for later use. You can be assured that when you prepare your own frozen foods, you know that they are not full of artificial additives and preservatives. Encourage children to get involve in the preparation of the healthy foods, thus creating a time when each can share about their day. Eating healthy foods do not have to cost you time or money, and they are certainly a better option for you.

James L. Paleta provides readers with up-to-date commentaries, articles, and reviews for food as well as other related information [http://www.home-and-health-guide.com].

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