When considering weight loss surgery, the amount of information available on the internet can be overwhelming. From choosing the right surgeon to finding the perfect procedure, there are so many choices that it can become a hindrance in your quest for healthy living.
We’ve created this guide to help you understand the basics of bariatric surgery and give you the necessities of what to expect throughout the entire process—different procedures, recovery process, restrictions, etc. So let’s jump right in.
Bariatric surgery is a weight loss surgery performed on patients who are at least 50 pounds overweight with a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or more. If you have struggled with losing weight through traditional methods and have good mental health, you are a perfect candidate. Candidates for surgery should not be heavy smokers, have hyperphagia disorder, or have a history of Crohn’s disease.
If you meet these requirements, keep reading.
Many bariatric patients come in because they are experience obesity-related illnesses, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart problems, etc. Upon weight loss surgery, patients have reported being completely removed from insulin, no high blood pressure, and being cleared from other health problems. While we cannot guarantee weight loss surgery is a fix to these health issues, it’s definitely a step in the right direction.
Dr. Frenzel has dual-fellowship training in both bariatric surgery and cosmetic plastic surgery. He is able to complete your weight loss surgery and, once, you’ve lost the weight, help you achieve the look you want with post-bariatric cosmetic surgery. This isn’t required, but it’s nice to know that you can build a relationship with one doctor and have him go through your journey with you with a full understanding of your background.
The first step after you’ve chosen a doctor is to schedule an initial consultation. During this time, you can discuss your medical history, your health concerns, the difference procedures and methods available, and voice any questions and concerns. One benefit to choosing Dr. Frenzel is that all of his staff members have gone through bariatric surgery. This means you get added support and first-hand testimonies about different bariatric procedures.
Choose between lap band, realize band, gastric bypass, and gastric sleeve. Lap band is an adjustable gastric band, an inflatable device, that is placed on the upper part of the stomach to suppress hunger and food intake. Realize band is similar to lap band. It is adjustable by the patient to control food intake. Gastric bypass is the most common form of weight loss surgery. During this surgery, the stomach is divided into a small pouch to reduce the size of the stomach and help patients feel full with only a small amount of food. The gastric sleeve, a sleeve gastrectomy, is commonly chosen for patients with high-risk health factors and extremely obese patients. During this laparoscopic procedure, food ingestion is limited.
Dr. Frenzel can look at your medical history and lifestyle choices and help you determine which would be the best method for your specific body.
