There are currently three major weight loss (obesity) surgeries being done in the United States. They are Roux en-Y gastric bypass, lap-band surgery, and adjustable gastric banding. These surgeries are all incredibly important and have produced amazing results in thousands of individuals. However, weight loss surgery is not without its dangers. It can be life-threatening and should be considered with all due diligence.1
One of the most common complications associated with weight loss surgery is gallstone formation, which occurs when a patient’s gallbladder is unable to remove excessive amounts of cholesterol. Gallstones occur when cholesterol from the gallbladder passes into the bile, which is used to help people digest food. When cholesterol is present in the bile, it can harden and form gallstones, which can then lead to serious problems that may require surgery to remove. Patients may also be required to take prescription medications, which can decrease their effectiveness after a period of time.2
What is Gastric Bypass Surgery?
What is gastric bypass surgery? Gastric bypass surgery is a surgical procedure in which your lower stomach, or duodenum, is reshaped by making a small pouch just above the level of your small intestine, or duodenum, rather than joining it. This small pouch is made not only to bulk up your stomach but also to reduce your food intake and increase your metabolism. By reducing the absorption of calories and partially emptying your stomach, you will lose weight more rapidly and probably have better overall health than you would with a less drastic surgical procedure.3
Your doctor might suggest gastric bypass surgery if he or she determines that you are severely obese, have a hard time losing weight, or are experiencing other health complications. For most people who undergo this procedure, they end up losing about one-third of their excess weight, though the amount varies from person to person. Generally, patients who follow up with the surgery lose about four pounds after the procedure, but this usually increases as they begin to return to a healthy diet and begin to exercise regularly.4
The procedure makes it much easier for you to eat less, so you will feel full less often and be able to eat smaller portions. You should be able to eat small meals more often once you have completed the gastric sleeve procedure, so you will not feel hungry as often.5 Also, because your stomach is very small after the operation, you will not experience any symptoms of hunger at all.
What Are the Benefits of Gastric Bypass Surgery?
The benefits of this procedure can be directly related to the prevention of obesity, which is the greatest risk factor for a large number of diseases in modern society, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer. Gastric bypass surgery benefits obese people by blocking the absorption of fats from their diet, thereby decreasing their body weight and the risk of developing many diseases. The procedure also helps patients lose weight because they no longer have to deal with the uncomfortable feeling of having to throw down meals frequently to compensate for a lack of fullness.6 As well as this, gastric bypass surgery benefits obese people because it reduces the risks associated with developing heart disease and other types of heart problems, while also decreasing the risks associated with developing diabetes and other forms of diabetes.
An even greater benefit to patients opting for gastric bypass surgery is the fact that it guarantees them lifelong weight loss. This is possible because the stomach is not reduced to a size where food cannot be absorbed by the body; rather it remains at a size where it can only be used to store vitamins and minerals. This is because the human digestive system does not require as much space as it did in ancient times when a person would have been forced to eat larger quantities of food to compensate for a smaller stomach. Today’s modern diets are not the healthy lifestyles our parents or grandparents lived, so it is very likely that an obese patient could still be struggling to lose the weight needed to maintain a healthy weight. In these cases, gastric bypass surgery makes it possible for people to shed weight without ever feeling hungry again.7
An additional reason why people seek out the benefits of gastric bypass surgery is the fact that it is one of the most effective methods of losing weight in history. Today’s technology enables the surgeon to perform the surgery using a sleeve design that makes it much less invasive than other procedures, while still allowing the body to absorb the nutrients from the food. Also, today’s modern equipment makes it much easier for doctors to perform surgeries of this type safely, while still being able to offer their patients a very high quality of life after the operation. As an example, a person who undergoes gastric bypass surgery will begin to notice significant improvements right away. They will experience a reduction in their body weight because the food they consume will be absorbed into their body instead of splashing everywhere as it would normally happen if the stomach were blocked.8
But that’s not all. Bypass surgery offers many other benefits, especially for individuals who have suffered from a number of other medical problems, including diabetes, gallstones, irritable bowel syndrome, and more. The fact is that people suffering from one or more of these medical problems might find it difficult to eat normally, because of their medical conditions. However, when the stomach is unclogged with food, it allows these patients to experience more comfort and even joy in their eating process. It allows them to eat smaller portions, as well as lower calories and healthier foods.
For diabetic patients, the procedure offers the benefits of being able to reduce their blood sugar levels at a much lower level than with any type of medication. This allows them to enjoy the benefits of eating smaller meals, which they can then eat larger portions of in order to satisfy their diabetes-related medical problems. And for overweight individuals, this surgery allows them to lose weight without the need to reduce their calorie intake significantly, something that can be very difficult to do. As for the patients who have other types of medical conditions, this procedure allows them to avoid having to undergo any type of surgery in the future. However, it is important to note that this type of surgery is not recommended for patients with Type II diabetes, as it can lead to life-threatening complications.
What Are the Dangers of Gastric Bypass Surgery?
What are the dangers of gastric bypass surgery? The answer to that question varies from person to person. Some individuals find that the benefits far outweigh the risks. Others find that they do not live up to expectations and that the cost of gastric bypass surgery is more than what they bargained for. Still, others fall into the category that makes it necessary for them to seriously consider the risks before going under the knife.9
Why should anyone even consider gastric bypass surgery at all? This question is important, but it will never be answered completely. Everyone has different needs, so no one can honestly say that there is a “best” option out there. However, you can rest assured that gastric bypass surgery is not one of those best options.
As long as you are physically healthy and you are willing to make some lifestyle changes, you can have an extra pouch and a smaller stomach. You can get rid of some of your own body fat and regain the fullness that you once had in your stomach. You can enjoy many of the health benefits that this procedure can bring, but you need to know what are the dangers of gastric bypass surgery. This information will help you decide whether gastric bypass surgery is right for you.10
Can You Eat Protein Bars After Gastric Bypass Surgery?
It is a good question and one that many people who have had this procedure have asked. The simple answer to the question is yes, you can eat these things after the surgery, as long as you make an informed decision. There are many different types of protein bars available on the market today, so make sure that you research all of them before making your decision. This will ensure that you are getting the right types of nutrition that are recommended for you after the surgery.
It is important to realize, however, that just because you can eat protein bars after the surgery, does not mean that you should be eating them every day. You must remember that this was a food item that was intended to be a quick fix for your weight loss. Your body, at that point, was operating on a different level than it is now. It is important to give your body the time it needs to heal properly before giving it any food or you could end up causing more damage to yourself than you would like.
These foods are an excellent source of both protein and essential vitamins and minerals. Just remember, however, to follow any instructions given to you regarding your new diet and always talk with your doctor before starting any new dietary regimen.
The Importance Of Protein for Weight Loss
Why is protein so important to a healthy diet? Well, protein helps your body in many ways including building muscle and burning fat. Protein is also vital for our immune system. It decreases the risk of many diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, heart disease, and diabetes. It also increases your energy level and prevents you from being hungry. Therefore, protein has an extremely positive effect on weight loss and should be consumed on a regular basis by all weight loss enthusiasts.11
The importance of protein to weight loss is heightened by the fact that it provides the necessary amino acids your body needs for protein synthesis. Therefore, a diet rich in protein bars will provide the necessary amino acids to help your body recover faster after you exercise and diet. This way, your muscles grow stronger and you burn more calories. A higher calorie-burning rate, in turn, leads to weight loss since you need fewer calories to function than those who have a high-calorie intake. Proper intake of protein bars also helps curb your appetite naturally and reduce your food intake.12
These protein bars for weight loss should be consumed after every meal and preferably an hour or two before you plan to go to sleep. They contain essential vitamins and minerals that help in the muscle growth and repair process. Also, there are other health benefits that come with the consumption of these protein bars. Thus, they are a healthy choice if you want to lose weight naturally.
Image Credits
Long Island Laparoscopic Doctors / Google Stock Images
BMI of Texas / Google Stock Images
North Texas Medical Center / Google Stock Images
Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery / Google Stock Images
Can Fit Pro / Google Stock Images
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2 “Obesity – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic.” 2 Sep. 2021, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obesity/symptoms-causes/syc-20375742 Accessed 12 Nov. 2021.
3 “Gastric Bypass – Obesity Treatments – UCLA Department of Surgery.” http://surgery.ucla.edu/bariatrics-gastric-bypass Accessed 12 Nov. 2021.
4 “Gastric bypass surgery: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.” 28 Sep. 2020, https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007199.htm Accessed 12 Nov. 2021.
5 “Gastric Bypass Surgery – WebMD.” 18 Jun. 2020, https://www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/gastric-bypass-operations Accessed 12 Nov. 2021.
6 “7 Bariatric Surgery Benefits Besides Helping You Lose Weight.” 18 Jan. 2021, https://health.clevelandclinic.org/7-bariatric-surgery-benefits-besides-helping-you-lose-weight/ Accessed 12 Nov. 2021.
7 “Benefits of Bariatric Surgery | ASMBS.” https://asmbs.org/patients/benefits-of-weight-loss-surgery Accessed 12 Nov. 2021.
8 “Benefits of Bariatric Surgery | ASMBS.” https://asmbs.org/patients/benefits-of-weight-loss-surgery Accessed 12 Nov. 2021.
9 “Bariatric Surgery Risks, Complications & Side Effects | UPMC.” https://www.upmc.com/services/bariatrics/candidate/risks-and-complications Accessed 12 Nov. 2021.
10 “Risks of Gastric Bypass Surgery: Anastomotic Leaking.” https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/risks-of-gastric-bypass-surgery-anastomotic-leaking Accessed 12 Nov. 2021.
11 “How Protein Can Help You Lose Weight Naturally – Healthline.” 29 May. 2017, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-protein-can-help-you-lose-weight Accessed 12 Nov. 2021.
12 “10 Science-Backed Reasons to Eat More Protein – Healthline.” 8 Mar. 2019, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-reasons-to-eat-more-protein Accessed 12 Nov. 2021.
