Carlos A. Barba on What You Should Know When Considering Weight-loss Surgery
Contrary to what some people might think, weight loss surgery is more about health than just a cosmetic procedure. Even though the patient’s self-esteem might play a role in their deciding to have weight loss surgery, more often than not, it’s the health risks associated with obesity that weigh on their minds a lot more than their expanding waistline.
Dr. Carlos A. Barba was granted the certification as Surgeon of Excellence in 2006. His practice in Texas is held in high esteem and he has performed over 6,000 bariatric surgeries and counting. With such vast experience and illustrious career, he is well aware of the emotional and physical issues involved with this procedure. He says that while weight loss surgeries are usually safe and successful, the patient needs to be aware of the preparation before the procedure as well as the ongoing recovery and lasting changes afterward.
Understanding Bariatric Surgery
If you’re considering bariatric, weight loss, surgery as a way to lose weight, you need to understand the different types of bariatric surgeries out there and which one best suits your individual needs. In general, gastric bypass surgeries have the highest success rate of more than 90%, with gastric sleeve close behind.
“At Carlos A. Barba, MD, PLLC,” explains Dr. Barba, “we tell our patients that the long-term success of the procedure requires that they go through some lifestyle changes. This is what ensures that the patients will maintain their weight loss successfully over the years and avoid regaining that lost weight.”
Emotional and Physical Preparation
One of the crucial aspects of bariatric procedures that many people get wrong is that this, after all, is major surgery. As such, there are emotional and physical roller coasters involved that you should be aware of and prepared for well in advance.
According to Dr. Carlos A. Barba, weight loss surgeries are a much safer option compared to the grave health consequences of obesity. However, the patient needs to go into this with their eyes wide open. They should be prepared for the physical discomfort and pain that follows the procedure. Changes in diet and eating habits and possible complications are part of the process.
Moreover, your relationship with food undergoes a complete overhaul. You will no longer be able to look at food as a comforting or coping mechanism. In most cases, junk and unhealthy foods would forever need to be treated as part of the problem, not the solution.
The Need to Talk to your Doctor
Knowing the risks, challenges, and expected lifestyle changes that you have to make will help you make the right decision and be prepared for what’s to come. And the best way to get informed is to talk to your doctor. Not only will your doctor explain what lies ahead for you, but they would also recommend the right procedure, which is a necessary step for your insurance carrier.
The team at Carlos A. Barba, MD, PLLC, as part of their efficient preparation work, also recommend that you build a robust support system around you. This support system should include all your close friends and family members who respect and approve of your life-altering decision. You’ll also need to plan for the long road to recovery and how to handle your responsibilities while adjusting to the post-surgery restrictions.
The Road to Recovery
The way Dr. Carlos A. Barba sees it, the procedure itself is both safe and successful thanks to the cutting-edge technologies and highly skilled team at his offices in Brownsville and Harlingen, Texas. However, the success of the surgery is just the beginning. For the patient, there are physical challenges, medications, and emotional side effects to contend with.
Among the common physical post-op symptoms, constipation, nausea, and vomiting often accompany certain bariatric procedures. Other emotional issues might crop up in the form of mood swings, lack of appetite, or self-doubt. That’s where your support system as well as your doctor come in to help you with these problems.
Carlos A. Barba on the Challenge of Change
The long-term success of the weight loss procedure, regardless of its type, depends on the changes you make to your life after the surgery. Dr. Carlos A. Barba says that you will notice improvements in your health, stamina, and energy as well as positive self-esteem, but you might also struggle with other changes which are less pleasant.
Some of these changes include missing the food that you were used to. As part of your ongoing recovery which the support team at Carlos A. Barba, MD, PLLC recommends, you’ll need to give up certain foods and might have to go on a liquid diet for a period of time immediately after the surgery. Other times, patients could experience anxiety after the procedure and might obsess over a certain body part or their appearance in general. Most of these changes are not serious and you can get over them or avoid them altogether if you follow the guidelines that your doctor recommends.
As you can see, it takes a long commitment to making drastic lifestyle changes to get the results you seek from your weight loss surgery. Your doctor will help you along the way and most importantly, let you know when you’re ready to make this commitment.
