Puget Sound Surgical Center - Weight Loss Expectations - Seattle Weight Loss Surgery and Bariatric Experts


	Weight Loss Expectations What Weight Loss Surgery Can Do For the obese person, the health benefits of losing weight are countless. Not only does the risk of serious disease decline dramatically, but some conditions may actually be reversed. For example, 80 percent of non-insulin dependent diabetics are cured as a result of weight loss surgery. High blood pressure is cured in about half of patients who lose weight following bariatric surgery. The majority of patients with sleep apnea no longer have disrupted breathing at night following weight loss. Digestive issues, such as acid reflux and heartburn, are resolved following gastric bypass weight loss surgery. Dramatic weight loss also improves shortness of breath, circulation and mobility. Many people find dramatic improvements in joint pain, back pain and arthritic conditions following surgery. Some women who were struggling with infertility before bariatric surgery find that conception is possible after surgery. (Note that pregnancy should be avoided for 18 months to two years after surgery until weight becomes stable. Pregnancy is not recommended before that time because of nutritional issues related to fetal development.) To be successful and gain all the health benefits that bariatric weight loss surgery has to offer, you must make major changes in your daily eating habits and develop a healthy lifestyle, including a program of regular physical exercise. Your effort and commitment to these changes play an important role in the success of your surgery. What Weight Loss Surgery Cannot Do Bariatric surgery is not a miracle cure. You should have realistic expectations for the surgery; it will not leave you with the “perfect” body. Weight loss surgery is considered successful when a person loses 50 percent of excess weight. It’s important to know that while few patients reach their ideal body weight, the physical and emotional health benefits are significant. Following bariatric surgery, there are many psycho-social adjustments as your body changes, such as body image, dealing with jealousy, envy, etc. Any type of change can be stressful; our psychology staff is available to teach you how to cope with these changes. In addition, some people may find that they experience new feelings as their body changes. Some old feelings related to poor self-esteem, self-worth or depression may resurface as a person resumes life after gastric bypass weight loss surgery. Our psychology staff can help you deal with those feelings.

What Weight Loss Surgery Can Do

For the obese person, the health benefits of losing weight are countless. Not only does the risk of serious disease decline dramatically, but some conditions may actually be reversed. For example, 80 percent of non-insulin dependent diabetics are cured as a result of weight loss surgery. High blood pressure is cured in about half of patients who lose weight following bariatric surgery. The majority of patients with sleep apnea no longer have disrupted breathing at night following weight loss.

Digestive issues, such as acid reflux and heartburn, are resolved following gastric bypass weight loss surgery. Dramatic weight loss also improves shortness of breath, circulation and mobility. Many people find dramatic improvements in joint pain, back pain and arthritic conditions following surgery.

Some women who were struggling with infertility before bariatric surgery find that conception is possible after surgery. (Note that pregnancy should be avoided for 18 months to two years after surgery until weight becomes stable. Pregnancy is not recommended before that time because of nutritional issues related to fetal development.)

To be successful and gain all the health benefits that bariatric weight loss surgery has to offer, you must make major changes in your daily eating habits and develop a healthy lifestyle, including a program of regular physical exercise. Your effort and commitment to these changes play an important role in the success of your surgery.

What Weight Loss Surgery Cannot Do

Bariatric surgery is not a miracle cure. You should have realistic expectations for the surgery; it will not leave you with the “perfect” body. Weight loss surgery is considered successful when a person loses 50 percent of excess weight. It’s important to know that while few patients reach their ideal body weight, the physical and emotional health benefits are significant.

Following bariatric surgery, there are many psycho-social adjustments as your body changes, such as body image, dealing with jealousy, envy, etc. Any type of change can be stressful; our psychology staff is available to teach you how to cope with these changes.

In addition, some people may find that they experience new feelings as their body changes. Some old feelings related to poor self-esteem, self-worth or depression may resurface as a person resumes life after gastric bypass weight loss surgery. Our psychology staff can help you deal with those feelings.