Obesity treatment - gastric bypass
A patient who underwent obesity surgery to help her lose weight has discussed her experience of the procedure, recommending the surgery but insisting that patients must be properly informed.
Rebecca Lopez, a 65-year-old diabetic, revealed that she had sought obesity surgery after struggling with weight problems since her teens.
Ms Lopez said that the surgery "gave me back my life", but claimed that it must only be carried out if the patient is willing to change their lifestyle as well.
"You're doing it for the wrong reason if you're doing it only to look better," she insisted.
The patient underwent obesity surgery in 2004 and has since lost 115 pounds, but she emphasises that the procedure alone cannot provide a cure for obesity.
"People who go into it thinking the surgery will cure everything by itself will fail," Ms Lopez warned. "You still have to watch what you eat, exercise and basically change your approach to life."
There are two basic types of obesity surgery - gastric banding and gastric bypass.
Gastric band surgery is usually only recommended for patients with a body mass index (BMI) under 45 and has a recovery time of around two weeks.
Gastric bypass surgery, on the other hand, is a major procedure with a longer recovery time and is difficult to reverse.
Patients opting for gastric bypass are required to take a nutrient supplement for the rest of their life, but the results are usually greater and more permanent.
Rebecca Lopez, a 65-year-old diabetic, revealed that she had sought obesity surgery after struggling with weight problems since her teens.
Ms Lopez said that the surgery "gave me back my life", but claimed that it must only be carried out if the patient is willing to change their lifestyle as well.
"You're doing it for the wrong reason if you're doing it only to look better," she insisted.
The patient underwent obesity surgery in 2004 and has since lost 115 pounds, but she emphasises that the procedure alone cannot provide a cure for obesity.
"People who go into it thinking the surgery will cure everything by itself will fail," Ms Lopez warned. "You still have to watch what you eat, exercise and basically change your approach to life."
There are two basic types of obesity surgery - gastric banding and gastric bypass.
Gastric band surgery is usually only recommended for patients with a body mass index (BMI) under 45 and has a recovery time of around two weeks.
Gastric bypass surgery, on the other hand, is a major procedure with a longer recovery time and is difficult to reverse.
Patients opting for gastric bypass are required to take a nutrient supplement for the rest of their life, but the results are usually greater and more permanent.
Obesity news : 24/05/2007
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