| Dr. Nancy Marquez is a Member of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Here the Doctor has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Bariatric Surgery.
Q. What is depression and how is it affected by bariatric surgery?
A. Many negative body image issues are related to depression, but losing weight does not cure depression and antidepressants are not stopped after surgery. Snacking or choosing poor food choices can be a part of "self medicating" for symptoms of depression and can contribute to regaining weight or inadequate weight loss.
Q. How successful is bariatric surgery?
A. Although only 2-5% of patients are able to maintain their weight loss long term with medical management alone, the majority of bariatric surgery patients are not only able to lose and maintain their weight loss long term over 5 years, the vast majority also will have resolution of their diabetes, high blood pressure and other medical problems related to obesity.
Q. How does the Predominantly Restrictive procedure work?
A. The restrictive procedures, such as gastric banding and sleeve gastrectomy, work by limiting the amount of food intake by creating a small pouch or stomach that allows patients to feel full with smaller portions. Certain hormones, such as ghrelin, are also affected that help a patient feel less hunger in general after any bariatric procedure.
Q. How Important is Patient Attitude Towards the Success Of Bariatric Surgery?
A. A patient’s attitude, including their preparation before surgery, commitment to long term follow up, exercise and education regarding dietary guidelines is critical to their long-term success. Support from their family in selecting healthy food choices for everyone and support from their primary care physician is also helpful since they are soon adjusting and discontinuing their numerous medications. I often feel that I am their cheerleader or their therapist as we work on their attitude going forward!
Q. Do you do the Panniculectomy procedure for your patients after the surgery?
A. A panniculectomy is performed by a plastic surgeon once a patient’s weight has stabilized.
Q. Do you recommend any alternatives to Bariatric Surgery?
A. No patients should undergo bariatric surgery without having had a diligent effort at medical weight loss since some patients, especially if they are not morbidly obese, may find some level of success without surgery. For the morbidly obese patient, however, there is no alternative as successful as bariatric surgery. It is still a tool and the most successful patients will often log their calories and exercise programs online in order to monitor their progress and make changes accordingly.
|
