New Year, New You: Losing The Weight For Good

By Author: Dr. David Provost
Total Articles: 77
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If your weight problem falls in the category of obesity rather than a few extra pounds, the typical New Year's resolution of getting trim through diet and exercise probably seems daunting - and with good reason. Practically speaking, it may be possible for you to make a lot of physical progress in one year by your own efforts, but if you are truly obese, it isn't probable that you'll become fit and trim as soon as you'd like (if ever).

In fact, making sudden changes in hopes of drastic weight loss could have dire outcomes. According to some doctors, if you weigh 350 pounds, you could be putting yourself at risk for a heart attack if you lace up your jogging shoes and dash out the front door looking to log an eight-minute mile. Considering the trouble you've also probably had in managing your diet, any serious weight loss seems like a steep mountain to conquer.

With this in mind, you may want to consider bariatric surgery.

A Lifelong Resolution
Weight-loss surgery is a significant, life-altering decision, says bariatric surgeon Dr. David Provost, whose practice is based in north Texas. A noted expert ...
... with 20 years' experience performing bariatric procedures, Dr. Provost treats primarily Denton and Dallas weight loss surgery patients, although many travel cross country to see him. He says the key to lasting success for patients is to stick with the dietary changes for the rest of their lives, not just the first year after surgery.

You have to be committed to doing things different for the long term, says Dr. Provost. As with any New Year's Resolution, it's possible to break the promise to eat right and exercise, and ultimately fall back into old habits. Although it is far more difficult to regain a large amount of weight after bariatric surgery, it is possible, and some patients become obese again several years after their procedure. Those who make permanent lifestyle changes, however, can achieve a normal body weight for the rest of their lives and resolve many obesity-related health issues.

Weight Loss Surgery Options
The two most common types of weight loss surgery are gastric bypass surgery and laparoscopic gastric banding, better known as Lap-Band surgery. Although other procedures, such as the gastric sleeve or vertical banded gastroplasty, are becoming increasingly popular, less data on long-term patient outcomes exists for these operations.

Gastric bypass patients generally lose 70-80% of their excess weight within the first 18 months following surgery, and studies show that the majority keep the weight off long-term. But the surgery is not without risks—possible complications include hernias, vitamin deficiency, and even mortality in a very small number of cases.

Lap-Band patients generally lose less of their excess weight - studies indicate anywhere from 30% to 50% - but, the operation presents fewer risk of complications and is also reversible. Maintaining the weight loss long-term, however, requires the patient to visit his or her bariatric surgeon one or more times per year to have the tightness of the band adjusted during an in-office procedure. Patients who fail to keep up this routine may find they regain the excess weight.

A Commitment to Your Health
If you suffer from obesity and regular diet and exercise plans have failed to provide long-lasting results, this might be the year for you to consider weight loss surgery. Not only can bariatric surgery help you shed excess weight to improve your self-image and quality of life, it can also reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease, and resolve health problems, like Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea and high blood pressure. As the clock strikes midnight, your New Year's Resolution to have weight loss surgery could result in a whole new you!
Weight loss surgery can improve your health in the New Year and increase your longevity for years to come. Dallas weight loss surgery expert Dr. David Provost offers free informational sessions for those considering a weight loss surgery procedure, as well as monthly support group meetings for his patients.