Gastric Band Surgery Results

For anyone considering a Gastric band it is necessary to consider the results of the surgery, and whether it is a success. Everyone is different and there will be varying results from person to person.  The results can benefit you in more ways than just weight loss, and as the procedure is considered a low risk and  usually only takes around 45 minutes, one overnight stay in hospital, and a relatively quick healing process thereafter, usually between 10 and 14 days; it is for those reasons, a highly appealing weight loss method.

Most lap band surgery patients ask how much weight they will lose after the procedure.  This is difficult for most surgeons to answer as it varies so much for each patient.  Much of the weight loss is due to the skills and commitment of the patient to stick to healthy lifestyle choices.  The majority of patients are able to lose around 40 – 50% of their excess weight by the first year. Some patients had lost approximately 40% within nine months.  Results however do vary, the band in some cases needs to be adjusted before optimum weight loss can be gained.  It is a fairly straightforward procedure to adjust the band, this can be performed by specialist nurse at a local clinic or hospital.  The procedure does not involved major surgery or a hospital stay.  The process can take only a few minutes in most cases.   You may be required to have an X-ray but in most cases it involves a very fine needle being injected into the stomach area.  The amount of saline solution can be altered by either adding or removing some solution, this adjusts the tightness of the band around the stomach.  


Following your surgery, you will have regular follow up appointments with a dietitian where you will be advised on each dietary stage.  You should receive tailor-made advice on portions and nutritional information.  Exercise will also be covered and you should get some advice on a low-impact workout or ideas for gentle exercise such as walking, swimming etc.  Patients who were fully committed to making healthy lifestyle choices saw the most weight loss.  For some patients the weight can’t come off fast enough.  Although it is extremely pleasing for patients to see the weight dropping, it is advisable to lose weight gradually and sensibly.  Losing weight too rapidly can cause health problems such as hair loss.  For most the weight loss is quite dramatic but does happen over years rather than months.  The main aim should be to stay healthy and be losing weight to prevent the serious health problems obesity presented.  A healthy weight is the aim and a weight that can be sustained long-term through a healthy lifestyle. 

Changing your weight to a healthy sustainable healthy weight has a vast impact on the lives of many former morbidly obese patients.  The results of lap band surgery can be dramatic as can the changes in lifestyle.  These changes require energy and commitment.  Understanding your dietary choices, planning meals, having and sticking to an exercise plan are just some of the aspects you need to build into your new healthy lifestyle.  For some those around them struggle with the changes, for example when you change your own eating habits and food choices often you change those of your partners and families.  Your family may be used to eating sugary and fatty foods and not want to follow your healthy lead. 

Often lap band surgery patients become role models for friends and family and encourage those around them to develop healthy habits.  One of the hardest aspects of keeping up with a healthy lifestyle is not having the support of those around you.  Many find that their family and partners can support them by taking up an exercise plan with them so the whole family can enjoy exercise together.  It will be more difficult to stick to your new healthy lifestyle if your family are not so keen on the new healthy changes to your lifestyle.  Do give those around you time to adjust, perhaps making small changes at first.  It is difficult for anyone to adjust to a new lifestyle and develop new habits.  Maybe ask your partner if he will join you for a 30-minute walk, many weight loss surgery patients find that their relationships are enhanced post surgery by the support of their partners.  A simple activity like walking to the local park or shops together will give you both time to relax and talk together.  Introduce new healthy foods that all the family can try together, the more you include the rest of the family in your new positive food choices the better and of course they will also be improving their health. 

Weight Loss

Studies have shown that around 50 to 65% of excess weight has been lost within the first year of having a band fitted; the weight loss will begin to slow down and become a more steady loss in the second year.  It is a strict guideline when assessing an individual for the surgery that you are willing to follow a smaller, lower calorie diet as well as partake in a healthy exercise regime, if this is followed weight loss will be even more successful, and you will achieve higher.

Health Benefits

If you have an existing medical condition which is affected by your weight, then a Gastric band could improve your health. It is said that around 80 to 85% of people with Type 2 Diabetes have seen a relative improvement in their health, with some people finding that the surgery will result in a prevention of any further development of the condition. The surgery will also have a positive effect on individuals developing any weight related health problems. You will be less likely to develop these types of conditions, such as Heart conditions, High blood pressure, Stroke, and Sleep Apnea to name just a few.

Psychological improvements

Not only will you gain health improvements from the surgery, but you are likely to feel much happier with yourself. You will become much more self confident after you have achieved any form of weight loss from the surgery. Your confidence and self esteem will become much higher, and you may feel much more satisfied with your life. Your energy levels will also rise sufficiently again affecting how you feel within yourself, causing again a positive improvement within your life style.

Procedure

The procedure itself is a reversible procedure meaning if there are any complications with the procedure or if you feel the procedure is not as beneficial as you were expecting you can have the band removed. Another benefit is that the band can be adjusted so that you can determine the amount of weight you wish to lose.

In an ideal world we would all have a supportive network of friends and family around us willing us on to make the right healthy choices.  However this is not always the case and in fact there can be many negative influences around us, like those friends who encourage us to skip the walk or swim for watching the TV instead.  Finding a like-minded friend to encourage and motivate you is a great help when it comes to getting out and getting on with the exercise plan!  There is always a wealth of information, videos, recipes, articles and tools available to help you keep motivated and feel inspired along the way. 

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