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10 POINTS TO PONDER
BEFORE PURSUING WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY
By Sharon Hillgartner, RNC and Roux-en-Y veteran.
1. Invesigate your options
The choice to have surgery should be an intelligent, well thought-out decision based on both reason behind your
decision to have surgery and on research into different types of surgery and surgical programs available and
their complication and readmission rates. Read about the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass that we
perform as well the other options that we do not recommend.
2. Ask yourself: Why surgery, and why now?
Before starting this journey, ask yourself: What has motivated me to seek this option? You are the only one
who can honestly answer the questions as to what you expect surgery to accomplish. The surgery provides you a
tool to help lose weight. It does not magically make people thin, rich, and happy. Old relationships and problems
don't vanish along with the pounds and new physical, mental, and relationship struggles may arise as a result of
your weight loss.
3. This is your battle
Weight loss surgery is a life-long commitment to a new lifestyle that includes regular exercise and a new way of
eating. No one else can fight this battle for you. Do not have surgery for anyone but yourself. You have to be
willing to make major changes and struggle against old habits to succeed.
4. Save your life, not just your looks
"Morbid obesity" (also known as"end-stage obesity") means that your life is at risk. You will not qualify for
this surgery unless your life is at risk from an extreme excess of weight. This battle is not just one to fit
into smaller, more attractive clothing - it is truly a fight for your life!
5. Be willing to examine your relationship with food
All individuals with morbid obesity have an unhealthy or abnormal relationship with food. To achieve long-term
success with weight loss these issues must be investigates and addressed along the way, or old habits will
sabotage your ability to lose weight and keep it off.
6. Can you make lemonade out of lemons?
Many of us that are obese have made eating our #1 hobby. It gives us great comfort and pleasure. What strategies
will you incorporate to cope when your stomach is the size of a ping pong ball? Consider how you distinguish
between emotional, physical, and mental hunger and how you will manage these issues. Is there a reason you aren't
doing this now?
7.Are you ready to make a move physically?
As obese individuals many of us are "too tired to exercise." We are exhausted from the daily effort
it takes just to get by. If you really want to succeed with weight loss surgery, exercise is not optional -
it is a requirement. Are you ready to make the move to exercising even when you don't feel like it? Read about
the necessity and benefits of exercise.
8. Are you ready to make a move mentally?
Many of us have hidden behind our weight, not pursuing our dreams or developing to our fullest potential.
Weight loss surgery is an incredible physical journey, but it also requires making a mental "move." You must
deal with some life truths that you may never have acknowledged or dealt with before. Are you ready to make
the move?
9. Your surgery is not a "Magic Cure" - it is a tool
The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery is both restrictive and malabsorptive. It gives us a great tool to help
lose weight. It will, however, still require discipline to adhere to nutritional recommendations and avoid high
sugar or fried foods, control portion sizes, and not eat and drink at the same time. Some patients experience
unpleasant symptoms when they break the rules or don't use their tool effectively, other do not. Do you have
the self control to use the tool correctly? Read about our philosophy and the
post-surgery diet.
10. Successful weight loss takes a team approach
The team includes your surgeon, a psychologist, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, a dietician,
a physical trainer, and most importantly, you. Success requires sticking to the game plan of
good nutrition, regular exercise, regular attendance at support group meetings, and life-long medical
follow-up care.
Are you ready to start living again? If so, you may be ready to consider weight loss surgery.
Contact us about attending a free prospective patient seminar.
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