Obesity is a giant obstacle in the way of healthy living. It disturbs the function of almost every organ of our body. Pancreas is among the most important organs that serves many vital functions. It not only helps in digestion of food in the intestine by producing pancreatic juice but also the main source of insulin in our body. Increased body fat (as in case of obesity) is a danger for severe inflammation of pancreas called acute pancreatitis. This inflammation may lead to a number of complications including death.

Acute pancreatitis is a condition in which inflammation of pancreas cause severe pain in upper abdomen along with symptoms like vomiting, low blood pressure and others depending upon the severity of pancreatitis. Almost 80% patients suffer mild pancreatitis while 20% patients have severe pancreatitis with local and systemic complications. But in case of obesity more and more complications occur.

Complications of acute pancreatitis can be divided into local complications and systemic complications. Local complications include necrosis and inflammation of the pancreas, necrosis of the colon, rupture of spleen and bleeding from gastrointestinal tract. Systemic complications include coagulopathy (deranged function of blood clotting), hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia, renal failure, respiratory failure and hypovolumic shock. The consequences of pancreatitis in the long run may be pancretitic insufficiency in which pancreas is not able to produce pancreatic juice and digestive system is affected badly as well as diabetes mellitus.

How Obesity Enhances Severity of Pancreatitis?

Research shows that fat tissue of our body serves endocrine function and releases substances called adipokines which are main culprit in producing severe inflammation of pancreas. Severity of obesity is directly related to severity of acute pancreatitis. Obesity is considered one of the prognostic factors in acute pancreatitis so patients who have normal weight recover from pancreatitis easily without acquiring complications while those who are obese suffer complications of pancreatitis more frequently. Some of the facts about obesity and complications of acute pancreatitis are as follows,

1. Obese patients have more severe inflammation of pancreas than non-obese patients
2. Systemic and local complications of acute pancreatitis are seen more frequently than in patients with normal weight
3. Chances of dying in acute pancreatitis are more in obese people than in non-obese patients

Conclusion

The above discussion signifies the importance of normal weight in bearing the stress of acute pancreatits. Obesity is a life threatening condition that should be addressed seriously. Good thing about the complications of the obesity is that most of them are reversible if weight reduction is done in time. Losing weight remains challenge in morbid obesity where simple measures like dieting and exercise don’t prove much effective in significant weight loss. In case of morbid obesity in which patient has BMI more than 40 the only effective and time tested measure is weight loss or bariatric surgery.

The beauty of bariatric surgery is that it has a number of options individualized to need of people selecting this wonderful way of losing weight. Effectiveness of bariatric surgery is above board; people who undergo bariatric surgery procedures at specialized bariatric surgery hospitals feel the difference in weeks. Many complications of obesity are cured automatically when patient comes to normal weight. Important thing to remember is that bariatric surgery is a specialized type of surgery that should only be done by experienced surgeon in safe environment. Both experienced surgeon and safety of procedure is only available at dedicated bariatric surgery hospitals not in substandard surgery centers.

According to Dutch researchers, they have found out that there is truly a corresponding link between obesity and depression. Their factual compiled data suggests that being obese can escalate the chances of depression in people who are initially not depressed by 55 percent. Depression on the other hand, can increase the chance of being obese by 58 percent to people who previously had a normal weight. It was notably stated that they carried out the analysis not to find out if a certain person has a risk for obesity with depression, but they found the connection anyway. In addition to that the “National Institute of Mental Health” discovered that in about four cases of obesity, one of it is related to depression or an anxiety or mood disorder. These facts can be found on the NIHM website which significantly correlates with other findings from various studies that shows the increasing rate of obesity in the US, to be tied up with the increase of depression as well as other psychological problems mostly involving the person’s self esteem.

The current compelling findings came from 15 strategically gathered studies that were published. They were all trying to decode the connection between depression and obesity. These studies were inclusive of more than 58,000 people who utilized tools like the BMI or body mass index to measure the how overweight or underweight a person is. For more information, an average American with a BMI of 25 and above can be considered as overweight, and American’s with a BMI of 30 or more are counted as obese. As stated by the Dutch researchers, obesity does not only aggravate the risk of having depression but it initiates the beginning of a clinical depression instead of just passing symptoms of depression.

Studies communicated in a recent copy of the “Archives of General Psychiatry” points out the verifiable truth that Europeans have lesser chances of being obese which leads to depression, compared to Americans. It also been discovered that an average European weighs less than an average American which gives more proof to the reality that Americans are more prone to being obese. To add to that, the more a person’s weight increases, the more he/she is prone to depression. Why is this possible? You might ask… Well, we all know the trend these days that being “thin” is “in”! This is the case, especially in the Western countries. So obviously, if you have weight issues, you are more likely considered to be unattractive. This could really do major damage to the self-esteem of a person. With low self-esteem, a person could find dissatisfaction to his/her body which would in turn lead to depression. There are also people who turn to food when they are feeling down, stuffing themselves with sweets and carbohydrates to fill-in the gap and empty feeling inside. If this is the habit of the person to find satisfaction even how transient it may be, then he/she is in danger of being obese.

We should not take this lightly? This is because both obesity and depression is a major concern which can greatly affect a person’s life. It is always essential to find a solution to the problem before it becomes an insurmountable problem. The team of Dutch researchers, advocates other health care professionals in the medical field to work together and share their knowledge in the different fields, to find a solution to the problem.

The most effective solution with our current advancements in medical technologies is, undergoing a surgery. If you are excessively overweight and are not able to lose any unwanted pounds by following a healthy diet and regular exercise, then surgery is the answer for you. To qualify for a surgery, men need to be at least 80 pounds and women need to be overweight by 65 pounds. If your weight does not meet these needed pounds, you can still undergo surgery if have diabetes, sleep apnea or a heart disease.

If you submit yourself for surgery and were successful, the primary reaction of the body will be limiting the amount of food the patient can take in. There are also other surgeries that will inhibit the amount of food your body can digest or absorb. Dramatic weight loss is generally experienced by patients who successfully undergo surgery. Following a healthy diet and exercise regimen will help keep depression and the unwanted pounds from coming back.

Teenage life is the most exciting stage in every person’s life. We experience a lot of changes when we reach this stage; from physical change, psychological and even emotional change. This is the period when we love experimenting, discovering and exploring life sometimes without regard of the consequences.

Research indicates that adolescents represent 1/5 of the world’s population and together with the increasing number of the world’s population is the occurrence of teenage obesity. It is considered as one of the most common problems in the US and other developed countries, and has already reached alarming levels. Weight can be a real problem within the teenage population; because of this, they are more likely to feel isolated for fear of being criticized or bullied. The result is teens become depressed and the tendency to hate or dislike themselves is higher.

Dealing with obesity within the teenage population is quite complicated. It is not just about changing your eating habits and choosing the right food to eat. Obesity is something that must be taken seriously.

Obesity is not just as simple as being overweight, since the latter can be treated by having a good diet and exercise. Obesity is not an ordinary health problem; it is a medical condition in which excess body fats have been accumulated and may bring health risks. There are several factors that make a person obese; such as low physical activity, hormonal changes, America’s penchant for large portions of fast foods and metabolic disorder.

While there are many weight loss programs available to choose from, one of the most common or most recommended treatments for obesity, aside from diet and exercise, is weight loss surgery or also known as the Bariatric surgery. But the question is, is it right for obese teenagers to undergo this kind of surgery? Or the most important question is, is it safe?

Based on research, teen weight loss surgery has been found to be safe; as safe as adult weight loss surgery. But despite the fact that weight loss surgery for teens is considered safe, there are still risks that must be taken into consideration.

Bariatric surgery includes different procedures performed on obese people. There are three types of weight loss that can be performed on teens:

1. Gastric Bypass surgery – It is a process where in the surgeon creates a small pouch by stapling off a large portion of the stomach and connects the tiny pouch directly to the small intestine. This makes the stomach hold less food and creates malabsorption of nutrients which results in weight loss from both restriction and malabsorption.
2. Gastric Banding – reduces the size of the stomach by using a restrictive device to create a small pouch but banding does not interfere with food absorption in the small intestine.
3. Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy – removes ¾ of the stomach laparoscopically resulting in weight loss from the tiny portions but no malabsorption.

A teen candidate for weight loss surgery must also be prepared physically and emotionally and have good support from parents. Weight loss surgery is only a tool and the teen must be prepared and committed to keeping up with the new lifestyle right after surgery.

Just like any other surgery, weight loss surgery also has its risks; like occasional discomfort, vomiting and diarrhea; especially when the patient has eaten too much or too fast. Teen patients who have undergone weight loss surgery have to start again with a new eating approach. It will entail many adjustments and life style changes which may take time to adjust to.

Most importantly is that with weight loss surgery or Bariatric surgery, an obese teen will have the opportunity to establish a more balanced relationship with food and exercise. The teen may enjoy life once again with heightened confidence and self-esteem and end their struggle with obesity forever.

Bariatric surgery is the best way to deal with obesity; along with proper diet and exercise and of course positive disposition. Every single penny, the discomfort and effort is all worth it.

At a certain point in your life, have you ever felt being unhappy and miserable? That moment when you feel like you are at your lowest point and nothing is going right. Well, frankly speaking, you are suffering from what we call depression.

Depression refers to a mental state in which you are sad and you feel like you don’t enjoy anything that you do because you feel unpleasant or you are always not in the mood. This kind of mental state or illness is usually felt by people who are what we call obese. Obesity is a medical condition by which a person suffers excessive or abnormal fat accumulation that may bring adverse effect to that person’s health. In other words, obesity is having too much body fat and may put the person’s health into risk.

Based on recent studies, the issues about depression and obesity remain to be a major topic. The question becomes does obesity cause depression or is depression a result of obesity. One thing is certain, each one affects the other.

Where it is a known fact that there is a connection between obesity and depression, it is still unresolved on which condition comes first. An obese person is more likely to feel depressed for reasons such as being uncomfortable with their physical appearance and afraid of being bullied especially for those in the adolescent stage. Obese persons have the tendency to lose confidence and become more sensitive and vulnerable.

Depressed people tend to isolate themselves from others and are more comfortable being alone. They find comfort by eating and the craving for food is much higher than the usual. For some obese people, foods provide emotional comfort. When you are depressed there is not much motivation in you, you don’t have the energy to participate in activities and the tendency is to just become sedentary. This lack of physical activity contributes to weight gain; and once your body get used to poor eating habits and sedentary life style, you will not notice you are already considered obese.

Obesity and depression are a serious psychological illness and considered a primary health concern and must be given extra attention. Depression is usually treated by way of therapy and counselling. But with the case of obesity, there are a lot of ways to lose weight and shed off those extra pounds. Natural weight loss methods that can be used such as various fitness programs and diet programs fail 98% of the time. Only 2% manage to lose more than 20 pounds and keep it off for 5 years. Most often than not, natural weight loss methods work best for those people slightly overweight not for the obese. The difference between overweight and obese is that overweight is generally a common condition and can be treated by the usual diet and exercise while obese is a medical condition usually cause by genetics and inability to control diet. Obesity responds best surgical methods of restriction and reduction.

Speaking of weight loss by means of surgical method, there are several different surgical weight loss methods available and one of the most successful surgical procedures is the vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery. This is a weight loss procedure by which the size of the stomach is reduced through removal of a portion of the stomach. This method has indicated excellent long term results based on recent studies.

Obesity and depression are two interchangeable conditions and is recommended that people who are obese and at the same time suffering from depression must be treated at the same time.

One of the most vital organs of the human body is the heart. It is located anterior to the vertebral column and posterior to the sternum and weighs around 250-350 grams. The heart is a muscular organ responsible for pumping oxygenated blood through blood vessels throughout the body. It is also responsible for the successful elimination of waste products of the body specifically carbon dioxide. Like the brain, the heart also needs oxygen-rich blood to function and this is carried by the coronary arteries.

Coronary artery disease is the narrowing of the blood vessels that supply oxygen to the heart. Other names such as coronary heart disease and arteriosclerotic heart disease also refer to this disease. It is the result of the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques which occurs when fatty materials and other materials build up over time in the walls of the artery. Narrowing happens afterwards and manifestations of the disease then shall occur. Atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease are closely related to high fat intake, less exercise lifestyle or obesity in general. The disease may occur in families as well and may also come with the hypertension, smoking and diabetes.

Coronary Artery Disease Statistics

In the United States, coronary artery disease has been the leading cause for sudden death both in men and women. Among the signs and symptoms associated with the disease are angina or chest pain, shortness of breath and arrhythmias. The disease is diagnosed thru ECG, cardiac angiography, stress testing and blood work ups. In some patients however the condition has no visible sign and symptom, it is only discovered when stroke or a myocardial infarction occurs which may eventually cause death.

Coronary Artery Disease Treatments

Conventional treatment for the disorder includes taking medications like ACE inhibitors, aspirin, beta blockers, calcium blockers and nitrates. Angioplasty a nonsurgical procedure that opens blocked or narrowed coronary arteries is also an option for treatment. Lifestyle changes are also an important part towards treating coronary artery disease. These include diet high in fiber, low in fat, patient must be physically active as well and patient’s weight and BMI should be controlled. Weight loss is a vital part in treating coronary artery disease.

As stated above coronary artery disease is closely related to obesity. The link to these two most prevalent and related disorder has been indirect however. Commonly, the relation has been noted towards other condition that obesity causes such as hypertension and diabetes then to coronary artery disease. Long-term longitudinal studies, however, indicate that obesity as such not only relates to but independently predicts coronary atherosclerosis. Thus, treatment towards control and prevention of further damage from coronary artery disease should include that of obesity. The first approach towards control of obesity is usually through diet programs involving more fruits and vegetables with an increase in physical activity. Next to this will be with the use of diet pills or medications. The last resort in gaining weight loss is through bariatric surgery.

Bariatric surgeries have been gaining attention recently. People somehow think that these procedures give them instant and easy weight loss. This theory is however, untrue. Few of the known weight loss surgery are sleeve bariatric surgery, lap band surgery and gastric bypass surgery. Given the scenario that an illness is present with obesity, the best choice is gastric bypass surgery. This surgery involves two parts, thus safest. First a part of the stomach is taken out and a small pouch is created then it is bypassed and reconnected to the intestine. The shorter route and the absence of the cells that produces ghrelin in the stomach help in the weight loss process. The gastric bypass surgery’s role in treatment of coronary artery disease is still not clear. Ongoing research suggests however that only surgery has been proved to produce substantial sustained long-term weight loss. Since with the disease then needs long term weight loss, gastric bypass surgery should be considered.

No matter what the therapeutic approach, it is important to realize that obesity is a disorder and that it may also cause other chronic illnesses that may shorten the life of an individual. Treatment of obesity should be based on its severity and the presence of comorbidities like coronary artery disease. To effectively control or treat these comorbidities obesity must also be controlled and treated.

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Medical tourism for all types of medical procedures has been an increasing trend and is becoming more popular everyday. However where do you find the best savings without sacrificing quality of medical care when it comes to weight loss surgery?

These days there are many surgery centers advertising Lap Band, sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass surgery. However many of these centers that spend so much on advertising are actually more expensive as they have to devote so much of their resources to constantly attracting new clients. Additionally this can be a sign of lower quality service as there has to be cuts made somewhere in order to stay competitive, whether it is by hiring less qualified doctors and medical staff or having lower quality equipment. This is a shame as Mexico does actually offer lower cost weight loss surgery and health care at equivalent or even high standards than the US if you know where to look.

The best deals for affordable weight loss surgery across the border can actually be found in the hospitals in cities like Monterrey, Tijuana and Mexicali. New and planned hospitals in these parts of Mexico offer multi billion dollar complexes with the latest in technology and newest equipment. These hospitals attract hundreds of thousands for medical tourism each year and have built great reputations that breed masses of word of mouth referrals so do not need to turn to million dollar marketing campaigns that eat up many of the advantages of traveling to Mexico for health care.

This enables these modern and well equipped hospitals to attract and employ the best doctors and staff available and enable them to offer an elite level of service and care. These hospitals not only offer a comparable level of health care to the US according to the World Health Organization but in fact often offer a superior level of care and personalized service. The now approximately one million medical tourists visiting Mexico each year have consistently rated their experiences at Mexican hospitals better than at their American counterparts. Additionally several weight loss procedures have actually been performed for years longer in Mexico meaning that medical professionals in Tijuana, Monterrey and Mexicali have years more hands on experience and have honed their skills and techniques to be the best in the world.

So what should you be looking for when choosing a hospital in Mexico for your treatment? Mexico is distinguished from other medical tourism destinations not only for it’s proximity to the US but also for it’s internationally recognized hospitals that are accredited by the JCI (Joint Commission International), something that few other so called medical tourism destinations can boast. The best hospitals in Mexico are also involved with education exchange programs with the world’s most well respected hospitals and facilities like the Mayo Clinic. Of course like any other service in life it is also wise to search out specialists in the area of medicine your are searching for. The International Business Bureau is also a good way to look up potential hospitals and make sure they are members and have been doing a great job of impressing other clients and patients.

The best hospitals in Mexico that specialize in weight loss surgery procedures also work together with the best in luxury hotel facilities to make sure those staying over receive the best attention and service from the moment they arrive and throughout their stay. Often hospitals can also help arrange travel as well including flights and airport transfers in order to ensure your entire trip is a success and an enjoyable experience.

How much of a discount on prices is reasonable to expect from a high quality medical facility in Mexico offering weight loss procedures at the highest international standards? In general you can expect prices to be be around 50% of that in the US. In some cases as low as 30% and can even include hotel stay. A good example is comparing Lap Band surgery that could cost as much as $17,000 and even up to $30,000 in the US and some western European countries while Lap Band and Johnson & Johnson Band surgery can be found in Mexico in the top hospitals and performed by internationally trained expert doctors for as little as $6,300. Clearly any other options do not compare to the advantages to be had. Just imagine what you could do with the savings.

It is certainly true that traveling to Mexico for weight loss surgery including lap band, vertical sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass surgery has become extremely popular and makes up a bug portion of the hundreds of thousands that visit Mexico for health care each year. Of course a big part of this is the huge savings that can be found south of the border, but how much should you really expect to save, how safe is it to travel there, what are the hospitals really like and how well trained are the doctors?

Savings
Perhaps the biggest and most popular reason that many Americans and US residents choose Mexico for their weight loss surgeries. While prices vary in between hospitals and surgical centers you can expect to find prices between 30-70% of what you would expect to save in the US. There are now a number of small surgical centers in Mexico that advertise prominently in the US. However you will find that not only are the small centers not as well equipped as hospitals but they also spend so much on big advertising campaigns instead of word of mouth referrals that they have to sacrifice either on service, savings or the quality of staff that they employ. The best overall deals can normally be found in leading hospitals in Monterrey, Mexicali and Tijuana that are regarded as providing the best combination of cost, safety, modern facilities and highly trained doctors.

Safety
While there have been a few recent headlines that have aimed to shock with reports of violence along the US, Mexico border these need to be seen for what they really are and not to be confused with what you can really expect to experience during a visit to Mexico for weight loss surgery. Of course there are political motives behind most news headlines and it is certainly no coincidence that this comes at a time when many are pushing political agendas. Also bear in mind that the reported crimes that have been reported recently are between drug gangs and not aimed at medical tourists and of course that in reality there are many more deaths and murders in the United States each year than there are in Mexico. If you are riding your bicycle south across the border and plan to buy illegal drugs or rip off drug lords then yes, perhaps you should be worried. But if you are traveling to a world class hospital that prides it’s self on taking great care of it’s patients throughout their stay and protecting the lifeblood of their business clearly this is quite a different story. You should find that with a little common sense and not breaking any laws that your trip should pass uneventfully.

Hospitals
So what are hospitals in Mexico really like? For those traveling to Mexico for the first time you may be surprised to find that many Mexican hospitals are even far more attractive than most of those in the US. These high rise modern hospitals feature impressive architecture, comfortable rooms and state of the art technology along with the latest equipment and friendly and efficient staff. In fact after your visit to Tijuana, Monterrey or Mexicali for your weight loss procedure you may likely wonder why you ever put yourself through going to a hospital back home and will certainly make Mexico your first choice for any other elective procedures in the future. Mexico is indeed home to some of the newest and finest hospitals in the world that are actually a pleasure to visit and those staying overnight will find the best accommodations along with personal and attentive service. Many of these hospitals are accredited by the Joint Commission International, are affiliated with the top medical facilities and clinics in the world and are involved in education exchange programs with prestigious institutions like Harvard Medical School. Ready4aChange.com is the perfect place to find bariatric surgeries in Mexico.

Doctors
When it comes to the question of how good the doctors are here, you will be pleasantly surprised to find many of the world’s leading doctors that specialize in weight loss treatment practicing medicine here from Mexican doctors who have far more experience with weight loss surgery than US doctors to even American doctors who have relocated south of the border in order to be able to compete as well as enjoy the great quality of living.

For those seeking out an effective form weight loss treatment whether it is vertical sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass or lap band surgery there are a number of factors that should be considered before making an informed decision and making sure you get the best treatment at the best price.

Factors To Consider Include:
Cost of weight loss surgery
Travel
Experience of doctors and medical staff
Safety of location
Quality of hospital
Attention to service

Cost of Weight Loss Surgery
As weight loss surgery is not normally covered by health care insurance electing to have gastric bypass, vertical sleeve gastrectomy or lap band surgery in the USA can be an extremely expense procedure that can cost upwards of $17,000 to $30,000. In comparison, medical tourism destinations like Mexicali, Tijuana and Monterrey Mexico offer lap band surgery for as little as $6,300 in superior facilities and performed by more experienced doctors.

Travel
Even if you were to stay in the US for your weight loss surgery you will likely have to travel to find a quality medical facility offering the procedures. There are far away destinations like India offering low cost weight loss treatments, though the costs of traveling there are prohibitive and eat away at the discounts and better quality treatment can be found closer to home, across the border in Mexico. The better hospitals offer assistance with travel as well as stay in luxury accommodations.

Experience of Doctors and Medical Staff
Of course the huge savings from seeking medical treatment abroad comes from mainly form the lower cost of construction and labor. This does not mean lower quality or inexperienced medical professionals, simply that local living costs are lower and wages are lower. In fact the best hospitals in Mexico that specialize in weight loss surgery actively participate in exchange programs with the world’s leading medical institutions as well of course having doctors that have also studied at the best US universities. While lap band, gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy surgeries may be rare in some countries that are trying to begin offering them, Mexican doctors have been performing these procedures even before their US based counter parts. This translates to more experienced and better trained medical professionals who can offer the best and safest treatment.

Safety of Location
While medical tourism has been booming throughout this decade and now motivates millions of Americans to travel abroad each safety should still be a consideration. Countries where English is rarely spoken can lead to all kinds of safety issues and concerns. Countries like India and other parts of South America can be extremely dangerous for tourists. However staying in the US is not necessarily the answer. In fact compared to Mexico, many US cities are far more dangerous and prone to random crime even average American towns you would not normally consider violent or dangerous like Jacksonville, Florida.

Quality of Hospital
Whether you choose to stay at home or go abroad the quality of the hospital you choose is very important. The Joint Commission International is the international non-profit organization that accredits hospitals worldwide that meet the highest global standards. Any hospital that you consider choosing should be accredited by the JCI. Also look for hospitals that have exchange programs and are connected with other prime medical institutions which is a sign of the level of quality you can expect. Also hospitals are a much safer and wiser choice than small private surgery centers. Fortunately for those heading to Mexico there are several incredible hospitals that are easily the equivalent of the best US hospitals using the latest techniques and offering the best state of the art equipment and technology.

Attention to Service
Great equipment, low prices, safety and expert doctors are all important and critical. However when electing to undergo any type of weight loss surgery or other medical treatment you deserve to receive personal attention and great service, especially when you are paying for it. The International Business Bureau is just like the local Better Business Bureau that you use to check up on everyday companies and surgery is definitely something you want to check up on providers for. To ensure the best service also look for hospitals that unlike small surgery centers do not rely on advertising to find new clients, but their great reputation instead.

Do you want to lead an active life and family life? Does your nationality determine what you eat or what you were brought up eating? Have you gained weight after a pregnancy? These are just some of the questions to ask yourself when considering a weight loss surgery procedure. All weight loss surgeries are a tool to help you achieve a healthier body and weight, and all surgery programs need to be followed. To learn more about a WL surgery, start or join a community of support groups, or an online forum.

Usually, first timers are excited to get surgery, but you need to research it because once it’s done it’s done. If you feel isolated, you’re not alone. Pre-op patients, otherwise known as newbie’s, are somewhat educated about the first year of surgery, but it’s helpful to ask a lot of questions from someone with at least 2 years after surgery experience. Pair up with someone for support, because you can gain back the weight while a mentor can help you to stay on track. In the end it’s accountability for yourself that matters, and you’ll need to get past the after surgery honeymoon phase and take lifelong actions to stay fit.

Make a plan for yourself after surgery. Have people understand what you are going through; family, friends, and your cultural environment. Also, cook for yourself so you know what is going in the foods you eat. The emotional part is difficult, but don’t be sabotaged: you don’t want to go back. So many people don’t know about the surgery aspects – do your research so you understand the emotional facets you go through. It can be not so easy after 2 years- after the honeymoon period.

There is a way to get healthy through weight loss surgery, but you need do the research. You know what your food triggers are so research and choose the surgery that is right for you. Don’t forget to research your doctor, they want the best for their patients and know they will be better off choosing one surgery than not one at all. Post-surgery patients say you learn a lot about yourself through a weight loss journey. You have more energy, are able to do more things, and make new friends. So what are you waiting for? Get on the road to your weight loss success.