Weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, offers a transformative path for individuals seeking to improve their health and quality of life. It's not a quick fix, but a commitment to a healthier lifestyle, demanding planning, dedication, consistency, and patience. The journey involves significant changes to diet, physical activity, and behavior, all supported by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals and the encouragement of loved ones.
Understanding Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery encompasses several procedures designed to help people with obesity lose weight and improve health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea. Common procedures include:
- Gastric Sleeve: Reduces the stomach size to a banana-shaped tube, limiting food intake and eliminating the production of hunger hormones.
- Gastric Bypass: Creates a smaller stomach pouch and re-routes the intestines to reduce calorie absorption.
- Biliopancreatic Diversion (BDP): A more complex procedure that significantly limits both food intake and nutrient absorption.
Laparoscopic surgery offers faster recovery, fewer complications, and quicker returns to daily activities. This minimally invasive approach has become the standard due to its lower risk profile and long-term effectiveness.
The Importance of a Multidisciplinary Approach
Successful weight loss through bariatric surgery relies on a comprehensive approach involving:
- Obesity Medicine Physicians: Provide initial assessments, coordinate care, and monitor patients post-procedure.
- Bariatric Surgeons: Perform the surgical procedures and provide follow-up care.
- Dietitians: Guide patients through pre- and post-operative dietary changes, ensuring proper nutrition and healthy eating habits.
- Support Groups: Offer a platform for patients to share experiences, provide encouragement, and learn from one another.
The Journey Before Surgery
Prior to undergoing bariatric surgery, patients typically participate in a medically supervised weight loss program. This program helps them:
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- Make necessary changes in diet, physical activity, and behaviors.
- Lose weight before surgery, which can improve surgical outcomes.
- Learn the lifestyle changes necessary for long-term success.
All patients start a pre-operative diet 2 weeks before surgery. The diet will be reviewed with you in advance and you can find it on our Nutrition Resources page. To help you have the safest and most successful outcome after surgery, you will need to attend several pre-operative appointments. We know your life is busy so we do our best to make your appointment schedule as simple as possible and many appointments can be done virtually. The number of appointments needed vary by case and can be more or less based on complexity. The guide contains detailed information about what to expect before surgery and during your hospital stay.
Life After Surgery: A New Beginning
The period following bariatric surgery requires commitment to new dietary and exercise habits.
- Dietary Progression: Post-surgery, you’ll follow a structured diet starting with liquids, progressing to soft/pureed foods, and eventually solid foods.
- Regular Exercise: Essential for maintaining weight loss and improving overall health. Begin with light activities and gradually increase intensity as you recover.
Bariatric surgery requires a lifelong commitment to a healthy lifestyle and that includes appointments with your bariatric team as well as other CWMW medical weight loss providers. You are welcome to schedule additional appointments as needed. We encourage you to attend these meetings that are both in person and through Zoom. The Bariatric Forum brings patients together to share experiences and provide support for each other. Sometimes we have discussion topics, such as plastic surgery, behavioral challenges, healthy cooking, and eating strategies. You must register for these groups in advance and you may have a co-pay depending on your insurance company.
Real-Life Transformations: Patient Success Stories
The most compelling evidence of the impact of bariatric surgery comes from the patients themselves. They get their health back, their freedom back and their lives back.
Nastassia Nash: Regaining Health and Energy
Nastassia Nash, a 43-year-old, underwent roux en y gastric bypass surgery and hiatal hernia repair. Before surgery, she was gaining weight and experiencing health issues. Now, three years post-op, she has lost more than 139 pounds and no longer needs medication for blood pressure or reflux, or a sleep apnea machine. “This was the best decision of my life because I no longer have to take blood pressure or reflux medications or use a sleep apnea machine. I have lost more than 139 pounds. I now weigh 159 pounds and I feel great. I have learned great new habits. I am more active now and really enjoy the outdoors. I love to walk more and ride my bike. I have a new found energy and it's great. My "go to" snack when craving something sweet is plain Greek yogurt with fruit. My advice to anyone wanting to get this surgery, is to go for it, and to the ones that have already started in the program, listen to your dietitian and read labels."
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Shannon McGill: A New Lease on Life
Shannon McGill, who will be 45 in September 2024, is over a year post-op from roux en y gastric bypass surgery. She calls her surgery day "the first day of the rest of my life." Since surgery, she has lost 127 pounds and a total of 143 pounds since starting the program. She is no longer taking three of the four blood pressure medications she took before surgery and has gone from severe to mild sleep apnea. "Since surgery, I have lost 127 pounds and since starting in the program, I have lost a total of 143 pounds and counting. I am no longer taking three of the four blood pressure medications I took before surgery. I went from having very severe sleep apnea to very mild sleep apnea. I can fly on an airplane without a seat belt extender for the first time in 20 years. My energy and mood have improved significantly, and I actually enjoy working out now. I want to thank Tara Gray, my dietitian because she's been very supportive throughout the whole process, and I couldn't have done it without her! I also want to thank my fellow Denver Health bariatric surgery patient, Carla Becerril, pictured in my "after" photo wearing burgundy - she is three years post op."
Marisol Escobedo: A Journey of Gratitude
Marisol Escobedo, 41 years old, had roux en y gastric bypass surgery and has lost 140 pounds in one year and three months. She now feels great and has a lot of energy. "Hello, my name is Marisol Escobedo, I am 41 years old. It has been one year and three months since I got roux en y gastric bypass surgery. I chose to have the surgery because I weighed 340 pounds. I now weigh 200 pounds, thanks to God. My goal is to lose another 40 pounds. I now feel great and have a lot of energy. I am very grateful to the entire bariatric team at Denver Health, especially Tara Gray, my nutritionist. Without her help, I would not have gotten to where I am. Tara helped me lose 30 pounds in the six months before I had the surgery, starting me on the road to healthier habits. My family has also supported me. For all the people who are thinking about having surgery, whether it be the bypass or the sleeve gastrectomy: my advice is don't think about it, just do it - it's something that helps us improve our lives and live many more years."
Tracie Green: Regaining the Ability to Play
Tracie Green, once struggling with weight-related health problems, underwent weight loss surgery and lost over 50 pounds. She now has the energy to play with her 10-year-old son, something she couldn't do before. "Before my surgery, I was 246. I am now 190. I couldn’t walk. It was so bad. Maybe a month after my surgery, I noticed that I had no issues. I have a 10-year-old son. I want to be able to run. I wanted to be able to play, have more energy."
Donald Rice: A Confident Transformation
Donald Rice, 14 years after his gastric bypass surgery, is a confident and active father. He has lost over 100 pounds and enjoys a more fulfilling life. “There are so many positives that changed my life that what I gave up doesn’t matter," he said.
Ronald Utley: A Healthier Future
Ronald Utley, a former football player, found that weight loss surgery helped him overcome health issues like gout, leg ulcers, and blood clots. He advises others concerned about their health to consider the surgery. "If you are concerned about your health and you need that done to get healthier, I would advise anyone to do whatever you can to get the surgery. You will come back and be a new person."
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Joseph: Trusting the Process
Joseph, who had Roux-en-Y Gastric bypass surgery, emphasizes the importance of trusting the process, drinking water, getting protein, and staying active. "It\'s been one year since I had my gastric bypass. I can\'t believe the difference! I\'ve lost 137 pounds. Thank you Dr. Parrish and Staff for everything. This has been a learning experience but a rewarding journey! I have decreased my dependency on hypertension medications. All I can say is trust the process! Drink your water, get your protein, move your body if youâre able. I want to thank Dr. Parrish and staff for the life-changing procedure that has brought me to a new and healthier me."
Cory Bermea: A Life Saved
Cory Bermea, a father of three, had gastric sleeve surgery and says it saved his life. "Before having this surgery, I couldn’t do much since I had been overweight my whole life. Life is so much better in general after Bariatric surgery. It saved my life! I am down from 160 pounds in less than a year now…"
Addressing Excess Skin After Weight Loss
Any major weight loss - whether it comes from diet and exercise or surgery - can result in having loose or excess skin. For patients interested in the removal of excess skin (panniculectomy) after surgery, care can be coordinated with plastic surgery specialists. Common procedures include:
- Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck): Removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen, tightening the abdominal muscles.
- Panniculectomy: Removes the overhanging pannus (excess abdominal skin).
- Belt Lipectomy: Removes excess skin and fat around the waist and lower back.
- Thigh Lift: Removes excess skin and fat from the thighs.
Case Studies: Body Contouring After Massive Weight Loss
- Case #177: A 55-year-old female who lost 80lbs after weight loss surgery underwent an extended abdominoplasty to contour her abdomen.
- Case #225: A 35-year-old female patient who lost over 100lbs through diet and exercise underwent an abdominoplasty and belt lipectomy to contour the excess skin and fat in her abdominal area, leaving her with a flat, smooth stomach.
- Case #236: A 63-year-old female patient who successfully lost around 160lbs underwent a panniculectomy to remove her excess abdominal skin.
- Case #100: A 41-year-old female who had gastric by-pass surgery and lost a total of 60 lbs. The surgical procedure performed by a team of Plastic Surgeons, post weight loss was a panniculectomy, extended abdominoplasty and belt lipectomy.
- Case #124: This patient is a 25 year old female who has three children and a history of morbid obesity. She underwent a gastric lap band procedure and made a conscious effort to lose weight; however, after losing 100lbs, she was discouraged by the excess…
- Case #146: This is a 53 year old female patient who underwent a panniculectomy procedure with an extended abdominoplasty with a belt lipectomy. She lost around100lbs with the help of a lap band procedure to get to her goal weight. With our amazing doctor&…
- Case #152: This is a 56 year-old male patient who presented to our office after massive weight loss. He worked hard to lose over 100lbs , but he still wasn't satisfied with the appearance of his abdomen. Our surgeon discussed at length the details of…
- Case #168: This is a 50 year-old female patient has a history of massive weight loss and wished to improve the contour of her medial thighs. She complained of not being able to find jeans that fit and that her medial thighs rubbed together when she…