Weight Loss Surgery Preparation For The Super Obese

For people who fall into the category of super obese (those with a BMI of at least 50), weight loss surgery may be the only option to improve their health and gain years on their life. If you are serious about weight loss surgery, utilizing resources currently available will increase your changes of success after surgery.

Medically-Supervised Diets

Surgery is rarely performed on people who are super obese because the risk of complications often far outweighs any potential benefits. Your surgeon will recommend losing weight, sometimes 100 pounds or more before surgery is even an option. Following a medically-supervised diet, either at home or as an in-patient, might give you the best chance at losing the weight. If you are medically unstable or bed-bound, it may be safer to follow a strict diet while in the hospital, since you can be monitored. At some point, even people admitted to the hospital for a while to lose weight will need to try following their prescribed diet at home. If you are unable to adhere to a diet at home and figure out ways to resist temptation or the influence of others, it is unlikely you will succeed with surgery.

In-Home Physical Therapy

People who are severely limited in their mobility, especially those who are bed-bound or are unable to walk around their home unassisted and without frequent breaks, will benefit from in-home physical therapy. A physical therapist may visit several times each week and want you to adhere to a strict program on the other days. In the beginning, your exercises may consist of assisted movements that help strengthen your extremities, especially your legs. Some people may slowly graduate to standing for longer periods, then walking around their home more often. Not only is physical therapy a gateway to increasing your exercise, but it is critical to move often after surgery to prevent blood clots.

Counseling

You do not need to be super obese to have emotional issues that have affected your weight. The likelihood of past traumas, binge eating disorder, and depression are much higher in people who are super obese. Avoiding these issues not only prevents you from losing weight, but it often contributes to self-sabotage once you have surgery. Even if you do not believe you need counseling, start having regular sessions and be an active participant. In addition to helping you resolve past issues, a counselor can give you suggestions to prevent binging and emotional eating. Sometimes, prescription medication for mood disorders may be necessary. Counseling may be needed indefinitely, since many people who lose a significant amount of weight find new issues arise.

Although weight loss surgery, like a gastric sleeve, can be life-changing, putting yourself in a position to have a safe surgery and recovery is the beginning. When you can adhere to changes before surgery, you are more likely to be successful on your journey.

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