Weight loss surgery (including Gastric banding, Gastric bypass and Sleeve gastrectomy)

What is obesity?

Weight gain and obesity develops when the energy supplied from the food and drink you consume is greater than the energy your body needs for physical activity and other metabolic processes. However, obesity is not simply a result of overeating. Contributing factors such as age, genetics, behavioural habits, your metabolism and some medical conditions such as hypothyroidism can also cause obesity.

Morbid obesity

Obesity becomes morbid when it reaches the point of significantly increasing the risk of one or more obesity-related health conditions or diseases (also known as co-morbidities) that can result either in significant physical disability or even death. Morbid obesity brings with it an increased risk for a shorter life expectancy. For individuals whose weight exceeds 50% above their ideal body weight, the risk of an early death is doubled compared to non-obese individuals.

It is very important to understand that all current medical interventions, including weight loss surgery, should not be considered medical cures. Rather they are attempts to reduce the effects of excessive weight and alleviate the serious physical, emotional and social consequences of morbid obesity.

How is it treated?

There are two basic approaches that weight loss surgery takes to achieve change:

Important Considerations

Bariatric surgery should not be considered until you and your doctor have evaluated all other options. The proper approach to bariatric surgery requires discussion and careful consideration of the following with your doctor:

• These weight loss procedures are in no way to be considered as cosmetic surgery.
• The surgery does not involve the removal of adipose tissue (fat) by suction or excision.
• A decision to elect surgical treatment requires an assessment of the risk and benefit to the patient and the meticulous performance of the appropriate surgical procedure.
• The suggested weight loss surgical procedure may not be reversible.
• The success of weight loss surgery is dependent upon long-term lifestyle changes in diet and exercise.
• Problems may arise after surgery that may require reoperations.

Success of surgical weight loss treatment must begin with realistic goals and progress through the best possible use of well-designed and tested operations.

Preparing for Surgery

Weight loss surgery is like other major surgeries. The best preparation is to understand the obesity surgery risks and potential benefits and to closely follow your doctor's instructions. To mentally prepare yourself:

• Understand the surgical process and what to expect afterwards.
• Talk to people who have had weight loss surgery.
• Write a letter to yourself and your surgeon explaining your reasons for having the obesity surgery and outlining your plans to maintain your weight loss after surgery.
• Start a journal about your experience. Record how you feel now, the obstacles you encounter, the things you hope to be able to do after obesity surgery.
• Get a letter of support from your family. It helps to know you have people behind you, waiting to help.
• Follow your surgeon's pre-surgery diet instructions strictly.
• Be certain to follow your surgeon's instructions regarding any medications you may be taking to control other health conditions.
• Arrive on time, with supplies from home for a two to eight-day hospital stay depending on your procedure.
• Remember to bring your Hospital Admission Form, your Health Fund details and your doctors referral to the hospital on the day of your admission.

Life after surgery

Post Surgery Diet

Regardless of the weight loss procedure, you will require permanent changes in your eating habits that must be adhered to for successful weight loss.

Going Back to Work

Your ability to resume pre-surgery levels of activity will vary according to your physical condition, the nature of the activity and the type of weight loss surgery you had. Many patients return to full pre-surgery levels of activity within six weeks of their morbid obesity procedure. Patients who have had a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure may be able to return to these activities within a few weeks.

Birth Control and Pregnancy

Your surgeon is your best source of information about pregnancy and birth control and will be able to advise you according to your individual circumstance.

The period between surgery and weight stabilisation is considered as a period of starvation. It is not advisable to become pregnant during starvation, despite the fact that the foetus has priority over the mother with regard to food. Should you nevertheless get pregnant, it is advisable to remove all the fluid from the balloon. You should wait until your weight has stabilised before becoming pregnant.

Long-Term Follow-up

Although the short-term effects of weight loss surgery are well understood, there are still questions to be answered about the long-term effects on nutrition and body systems.

Your weight loss surgeon will advise you weight loss surgery on the timing and frequency of necessary follow-up visits as part of their post-operative care program. Follow-up will be unique to your individual procedure and circumstances.

More information

All of the information you need to know, pre and post-operatively, will be made available to you in separate information packs given to you before and after your surgery. Our practice nurse, Kylie, will also be able to assist you with any questions that you might have at any time - with advice from our surgeon Adam Skidmore.