Bariatric Surgery and Its Long-Lasting Benefits

Morbid obesity can lead to a shorter life and many life-threatening health problems, known as co-morbidities, such as diabetes, heart disease, and sleep apnea. Recent studies show that the risk of an early death for those struggling with obesity is twice that of a non-obese person. But don’t panic, with treatment there is a better chance for enjoying good health and a longer life.

Bariatric surgery helps obese people to lose a lot of weight. It limits your food intake and making you feel full after a small meal. 

Bariatric surgery is known to be the effective and long lasting treatment for severe obesity and also for many health-related diseases resulting from obesity, little knowing about its research part. Now it has been proved by a group of researchers that it may be among the most effective treatments for obesity-related diseases including type2 diabetes, hypertension, high triglycerides, or high levels of uric acid. If you find yourself struggling with one or more obesity-related health condition, bariatric surgery could be right for you.

The number of bariatric surgery procedures in the U.S. has risen dramatically, growing fivefold in the last 7 years. The most common procedures include gastric bypass, lapband surgery or sleeve gastrectomy or biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch. Most of these procedures are performed laparoscopically using minimally invasive techniques.

A recent survey conducted by the American Diabetes Association, Inc. shows bariatric surgery patients lost an average of 23% of body weight at 2 years and 16% at 10 years.  At the end of 10 years, those who had bariatric surgery were less likely to have type 2 diabetes, hypertension, high triglycerides, or high levels of uric acid. The survey concludes that Bariatric surgery is a viable treatment that results in long-term weight loss.

Studies show that bariatric surgery effectively can improve and resolve many weight-related health conditions in a long run.

Nutrition and Weight Loss Surgery

Weight loss surgery alters the shape and size of the stomach pouch and many foods which you enjoy before WLS will no longer be appropriate for you. Therefore, it is important for you to follow the dietary and nutritional guidelines recommended by your doctor. The amount of each nutrient you need everyday is called the recommended daily allowance (RDA) and you have to follow that.

Good nutrition prior to surgery leads to effective wound healing, increases resistance to infection and lowers the mortality rate. Before WLS has been performed, the patient’s nutritional status must be improved by an appropriate dietary regimen to minimize surgical risks.

The nutrients that are considered important for a person undergoing surgery are:

1. Protein - needed to build and repair damaged tissues.
2. Carbohydrates and Fats - needed to spare protein and furnish energy.
3. Vitamins(Vitamin C,B and K ) - needed to healing wounds and promote blood clotting.
4. Minerals - needed  to aid wound healing and permit hemoglobin synthesis to replace blood loss.

The objective of post-operative diet therapy is to replace body losses as soon as possible. Energy and protein are major factors in achieving wound healing. Sufficient fluid is needed to avoid dehydration. Minerals and other vitamins also play a vital role in the recovery.

Immediately after surgery, you will need a liquid diet – water, soup, juice, lowfat milk and cooked cereals– for a few days. Then you can progress to pureed foods for about a month while your stomach heals. You can then progress to easy-to-chew foods like cooked vegetables, soft fruits, and ground or canned meats like chicken, ham and fish. The post operative diet may be liquid, soft or of regular consistency, but it must be high in calories, protein, minerals and fluids.

Protein

Approximately 60–80 g of daily protein is recommended for nutritional adequacy and for wound healing after surgery. Protein is available in fish, eggs, and many plant-based foods, such as soy products, nuts, and legumes. Frequent visits to nutritionist are required in the first few months after surgery in order to ensure protein nutrition is optimal.

Fluid

There must be sufficient fluids to replace potential losses from vomiting, fever and preventing dehydration. Up to seven liters of fluid in a day may be needed. Dehydration can be very dangerous to overall health, and it can also lead to constipation and poor absorption of medications and nutrients. Many food such as soups, contribute to the fluids consumed. 
Calories

If calorie intake is inadequate after WLS, protein will be used for energy rather than tissue rebuilding and wound healing.

Vitamins
Vitamin C is important to supply the cementing material of connective tissue, capillary walls and new tissue. Vitamin K is vital as it helps in blood clotting. Vitamin B complex functions as co-enzymes in carbohydrate and protein metabolism, the formation of hemoglobin, and the prevention of anemia. A daily dose of multivitamin with iron, B-complex supplement and calcium is needed for a patient after surgery for quick recovery. 

Minerals

Minerals are of great importance in the replacement of electrolytes. 

Consumption of fruits, vegetables and whole grains in moderation

Patients after WLS should take fruits, vegetables and whole grains in a modified form to ensure adequacy of fiber, vitamins and minerals. Chopped fresh fruits can be taken with lowfat milk or soy milk in small quantities. Vegetables can be grated and added in soups and omelets. Steaming fruits and vegetables will also make meals easy to digest. 

Early postoperative food capacity is usually about less than half a cup. Patients must learn to eat small meals of nutritious foods in a regular interval. Failure to modify this habit will result in poor nutrition and inadequate calorie intake. 

To be truly successful after WLS, it requires lifelong changes in your eating habits in order to maintain losses and ensures that you are getting adequate nutrition with your limited food intake.