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Choosing surgery
 Weight
loss surgery is major surgery. Although most patients enjoy an improvement in
obesity-related health conditions (such as mobility, self-image and self-esteem)
after the successful results of weight loss surgery, these results should not be
the overriding motivation for having the procedure. The goal is to live better,
healthier and longer.
That is why you should make the decision to have weight loss surgery only after
careful consideration and consultation with an experienced bariatric surgeon or
a knowledgeable family physician. A qualified surgeon should answer your
questions clearly and explain the exact details of the procedure, the extent of
the recovery period and the reality of the follow-up care that will be required.
They may, as part of routine evaluation for weight loss surgery, require that
you consult with a dietician/nutritionist and a psychiatrist/therapist. This is
to help establish a clear understanding of the post-operative changes in
behavior that are essential for long-term success.
 It
is important to remember that there are no ironclad guarantees in any kind of
medicine or surgery. There can be unexpected outcomes in even the simplest
procedures. What can be said, however, is that weight loss surgery will only
succeed when the patient makes a lifelong commitment. Some of the challenges
facing a person after weight loss surgery can be unexpected. Lifestyle changes
can strain relationships within families and between married couples. To help
patients achieve their goals and deal with the changes surgery and weight loss
can bring, most bariatric surgeons offer follow-up care that includes support
groups, dieticians and other forms of continuing education.
Ultimately, the decision to have the procedure is entirely up to you. After
having heard all the information, you must decide if the benefits outweigh the
side effects and potential complications. This surgery is only a tool. Your
ultimate success depends on strict adherence to the recommended dietary,
exercise and lifestyle changes.
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