Weight loss surgery is a form of a medium-invasive procedure meant for overweight and obese individuals who want to get back in shape. The intervention must not be regarded as a cure for obesity, but as an ‘instrument’ meant to help you shed pounds faster and enjoy a longer, healthier and more fulfilling lifestyle. Not all weight loss surgeries are successful because success depends on the patient’s ability to make important lifestyle changes. If you can’t commit to overcoming bad eating habits, having the surgery is worthless.
Some 7 years ago, the NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information), reported that people who wanted to lose significant weight through conventional methods like dieting and intense exercise, couldn’t commit to a long-term plan. That was because it takes too much time and effort for someone who’s overweight to see results; in most cases, dieting may trigger other serious health concerns. The NCBI admitted that weight loss surgery was one of the most efficient ways of combating obesity and maintaining an adequate weight long-term.
A better understanding of weight loss surgery
Scientifically known as bariatric surgery, a weight loss intervention is divided into several major types: gastric banding, gastric bypass, or gastric sleeve. Whatever surgical procedure you choose, keep in mind that weight loss surgery won’t make your body look better unless you make a lifestyle change; this basically involves eating healthier and improving your fitness through exercise.
Bariatric surgery changes your gastrointestinal anatomy. Some procedures impact the manufacturing of intestinal hormones, thus reducing appetite and hunger, and making the body seem full. Others involve shrinking the stomach, which will convince the body to eat less food. However, if the eating habits of the patient undergoing these surgical treatments don’t change, the stomach will enlarge over time, and the surgery would have been in vain.
How can weight loss affect your fitness?
Considerable weight loss is linked to many changes that the body will go through. After bariatric surgery, the patient should engage in a wide-ranging workout routine. This doesn’t necessarily mean going to the gym daily, but you should walk more, swim, go biking, and more. Increased physical activity mixed with weight loss can also increase the ability of your body to burn fat. Stress levels are reduced and your whole attitude will improve and become more positive.
Weight loss surgery reduces a number of hormones stores inside the body, like cortisol (stress hormone) and insulin ( a substance that regulates sugar levels). It helps with the production of numerous other essential factors that diminish fat deposits. However, the effects of a bariatric surgery won’t last if you go back to your old habits. This is an important aspect people should reflect on after the intervention.
Long-term weight loss
The results of a weight-loss surgery can be long-term. However, this mainly depends on the patient’s willingness to change his eating habits. Being overweight can have dreadful effects on your general health. Diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis are just some conditions you may have to deal with if you don’t lose weight. Fortunately, weight loss surgeries in people who must shed tens of pounds have quite the impact. This motivates the patient to stay on the right path and keep improving their habits to live a healthier, fuller life. On top of everything, when your physical appearance is improved, your self-esteem improves, too.
Psychological effects of weight loss
Significant weight-loss has a lot of positive psychological effects on people. It makes them feel beautiful again, which is important because it gives them an extra reason to maintain a healthy living. When we feel good, we look good, and we sense a lot of positive energy from those around us, too. Apart from improving a patient’s health, surgical weight-loss boosts life quality. Main positive effects of the intervention are:
- Improved level of confidence
- Better social interactions
- Enhanced sexual function
- Better mobility
- Reduced anxiety and depression
There’s no doubt that weight-loss surgery can greatly impact your fitness. However, patients should also be aware of the risks. In spite of the positive results, if you don’t watch your caloric intake, all the weight can come back. Commit to changing bad eating habits and engage in more physical activities to keep your heart rate up, burn fat and feel happy and rejuvenated.
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