Is Weight Loss Surgery Right For You?

enquiries@thedietologist.co.uk

Have you been thinking about weight loss surgery?

Weight loss surgery is available both on the NHS and privately for people who meet certain criteria which include:

  • Body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more, or a BMI 35 or greater with an obesity-related condition that might improve if you lose weight (such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure).
  • BMI is your weight in kg divided by your Height in metres squared.
  • You've tried all other weight loss methods, such as dieting and exercise, but have struggled to lose weight or keep it off.
  • You've been receiving or will receive treatment from a specialist weight management team.
  • You agree to long-term follow-up after surgery – such as making healthy lifestyle changes and attending regular check-ups with your Dietitian/Bariatric team.
  • You're fit and healthy enough to have surgery under general anaesthetic.
  • In the private sector you may have a gastric balloon from BMI 27 and gastric band from BMI 30 or above.
  • For Private weight loss surgery you do not need to be under the care of a NHS weight management team.

Four most common procedures in the UK:

  • Gastric Balloon
  • Gastric Band
  • Gastric Bypass/Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
  • Sleeve Gastrectomy/Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy

The surgery itself works on physical "real" hunger, that's the hunger you have for survival. Unfortunately weight loss surgery doesn't control "head" hunger (emotional eating), that's when you eat when you're bored, emotional or stressed! You'll need to make changes to the food you eat, learn to eat slowly (eating techniques) and adapt your lifestyle. These changes need to be consistent to maintain weight loss.

Aftercare!

Don't forget about aftercare, this is the support provided by your SPECIALIST DIETITIAN after you've had weight loss surgery. It will cover nutrition, relationship with food, blood monitoring and supplement advice. Aftercare is the support you need to help you work with your surgery. Without it you may not achieve realistic health and weight goals or keep the weight off.

Weight loss surgery can lead to significant weight loss and help improve many obesity-related conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease or high blood pressure. It’s a life changing decision and you should seek as much professional advice as possible. Learning to make healthy changes and listening to your body takes time and practice. Just because you've had surgery does not mean you will learn everything right away. Be patient with yourself!

Do you need more Help?


If you're thinking about having weight loss surgery, schedule a discovery call with me to see if I can help you along your weight loss journey.

Contact Me
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