Are you on the fence about weight loss surgery? There are good reasons to think too much and much about it - as well as reasons to do so.
This is because, as the pounds melt, people feel the difference immediately - and this helps them embrace a new mindset, says Anita Courcoulas, MD, MPH, chief of minimally invasive bariatric surgery at the University School of Pittsburgh medicine.
"They learn how it feels to look better and improve health," says WebMD. "The surgery gives them a tool to reinforce positive lifestyle changes. That's where support groups are really important too, in strengthening their commitment."
Want to know more? These profiles should give you a sharper image of life after successful weight loss surgery.
Cardio After Weights Fat Loss - Weight Loss Surgery: Quality of Life After Successful Surgery
Joy had gastric bypass surgery just over a year - and reached its goal for the ninth month.
"I'm so happy to have surgery. Actually, every time someone tells me how big I'm looking for me to feel like a million dollars," she says. "I would recommend it to others. Actually, I have and some of them are well on their way to reach their goals."
To maintain your weight and health, joy exercises almost every day. "I feel much better for the change," she says. "My health has improved so much my doctors are surprised. I am able to do things a year ago I could never have achieved, like playing basketball with my grandchildren."
The size of the joy dress plunged from 26/28 to a size 8. "My husband is so proud of me ... says he has a new wife!"
. Challenge Key of joy: Joy has a lot of skin loose, which she did not expect. Because of severe reactions to anesthesia, surgery to remove it can be very risky. The daily exercise is to keep the weight, but so far it has not helped to tighten the skin too much. She maintains a positive attitude: "I tell everyone I became a sexy senior citizen with my new look, and they agree."
four years ago, 27-year-old mignon weighed 275. After gastric track surgery, it is now 160 - well beyond his original goal of 175. "My mother says" you do not lose more weight ", do not miss more weight "" She says. "That's something I've never heard!"
. Overweight since childhood, Mignon tried everything - Jenny Craig, weight observers, fashion diets. The decision to have weight loss surgery was difficult, but once she had decided, the rest was easy.
. Mignon key challenge: She does not like to get adjustments in her band. It requires a needle palette in the abdomen - and "the stick is nothing compared to the vision of this needle," she says. "I just close my eyes. I know you'll fix my health in a positive direction."
Surgery made a big difference in appetite control. "After eating the right amount, you're full," says Mignon. She also exerts three nights a week - running, walking, aerobics classes - Plus makes 5k walks and runs on weekends.
Mignon looks like a different person, she says. "My self-esteem has increased tremendously. I am treated differently. People are more friendly. I get more respect. Sad to say, but people stereotype when you're overweight."
Her new and found self-confidence caused a career change as well. Mignon returned to school, received an MBA and was promoted for administration. She is really teaching lessons at a local college.
"Once you have made the decision to have surgery, you have to make the lifestyle changes needed to be a success," he advises her. "If you control portions of food and exercises, you go well."
Tajuan had gastric bypass surgery nine months ago and calls "my second anniversary." Tajuan was carrying 220 pounds in her 5-foot height frame when she entered surgery-and now is 145 pounds, only 10 shy pounds of her goal. She could lose more, she says, "But I'm not going to Hollywood. I'm in the south, and we like" in curves. "
"I love three meals a day, but my portions have changed drastically," says Tajuan. "What I have changed. My taste changed. I still have desires. Oooh, I want that cheesecake, but now I know how to eat things I should eat first - and when I have to meet a bite, eat a bite for the taste. Because I'm full. Surgery helps you, you really are full. "
. Tajuan key challenge: Your work involves a lot of trip and adhering to a healthy diet can be difficult. "I can not easily mix high protein smoothies in my hotel room," she says. Your solution? She did some research, and found a liquid protein drink made for people with medical conditions - then received the OK from your doctor. "I wanted to make sure I was getting the nutrition I needed," she says.
Although she is not in sports: "I like to walk," says Tajuan, "especially walking through my neighborhood. I get in about half an hour every day. I'm walking four bids of stairs every day. best way to do this. "
People continue to tell her how big she seems, she says. "They're asking my husband," will you be able to deal with this new wife who has? "" Her response: "I'm done with the man who stayed with me through thick and thin."
.It's been 18 months since Peggy had gastric bands surgery-and she fell from 200 to 150. Losing these 50 pounds increased her health in several ways. She had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol. Now, "I have a lot more energy," says Peggy. "I look better, use smaller sizes. My cholesterol is normal. I'm not diabetic."
Because of weight loss surgery, it's much easier to stop eating when she's full, she says. "I knew I needed this physical barrier because I do not like to deprive myself. When I'm enjoying something, I want to continue eating it. The band is a savior grace."
When she eats with friends, says Peggy, she simply can not eat an entire entry. "I take half home for the next day - or I just ask for an appetizer for dinner."
. Peggy's key challenge: She eats many snack foods, also sweets, and drinks many Chai Lattes, Peggy admits. They go down easily, but do not make it feel very-and add many calories to her diet. "I give up the temptation," she says. "It's a fight."
Working with a Personal Trainer three times a week "really helps keep weight loss," says Peggy. "If I was not exercising, I would have recovered the weight." She says she helped firm the skin loose as well. "My skin is returned, probably exercise."
What if she retrieves all the weight? "I would never let that happen," says Peggy. "If the weight started to rise, I would cut the snacks. I know I could lose another 20 pounds if I tried."
Since gastric bypass surgery five years ago, Beverly fell from 334 to 138 - almost 200 pounds. "I spent all my life being obese," she says. "I went back trying different diets. It was a constant battle."
. Beverly's Key Challenge: "I was miserable the first couple of months after surgery," she says. "I had to adapt to eat the small portions. My body was getting used to being diverted. I felt bad, tired. I was really getting used to how my body was working. But looking back, everything was solved. It was a big deal - especially considering how good I feel now. "
Today, she says: "I feel perfectly healthy. I do not miss the food. If there's something I'm wishing for, if I have a bit of it, I'm fine. That's the truth. I do not think you You should deprive yourself from anything, but the size of the portion is a huge factor. "
Exercise was "such a task" before weight loss surgery. "Now I purposely do things daily than I did not do before," says Beverly. "I walk instead of taking the bus to where I work."
She took her weight loss seriously and made the appointment, says Beverly. "Surgery is definitely not all savior grace. There's still a lot of work afterwards. I have to pay attention to what I like, otherwise I'll gain weight."
Good food is still part of her life, she adds. "People have the misconception that you can never eat good things again if you have this surgery. You can eat them - and you can enjoy them more because you are not inhaling."
and can be one of the keys to successful weight loss surgery: enjoy the changes that come after - and being an integral part of them.
