Many of us are aware of the global obesity epidemic that is impacting the US and many other countries worldwide. Today, 1 out of every three adults is considered obese.
Over the last two decades, American men’s average weight has increased by more than 17 pounds, while the average weight of women has increased by 15.5 pounds. Should these trends continue, 81 million Americans will be overweight, and 113 million obese by 2022.
According to the CDC, the yearly medical cost of obesity in the US is $147 billion, and obese people spend $1429 more on medical expenses every year than average weight individuals.
Consequently, some people rely on diets such as the low carb keto diet or Atkins, whereas others choose quick-fix solutions. To name a few, medications and bariatric surgery are becoming the go-to option for many people to lose weight nowadays.
However, we recommend you understand the costs, the risks, and complications before considering bariatric or any other weight loss surgery, like the sleeve, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (Lap-band), or others.
1. Cost of the Surgery to Lose Weight
One important thing you need to consider when thinking of weight loss surgery is the cost. Although bariatric surgeons will tell you that this is the best option to lose weight, this is not true. You can consider many other weight-loss options, some of which we will cover in this post.
These surgeons want you to undergo this procedure because the more surgeries they do, the more money they make. Surgeons rarely share other great alternatives to weight-loss surgeries since this could eventually impact their bottom line and factor in the medical costs for managing the side effects or complications.
Most do not consider that they may require other medications, hospitalization, and additional visits to the doctor.
On average, weight-loss surgery costs around $14,900 to $23,000. Although many insurance companies cover this surgery, only a few provide coverage for the whole procedure.
Therefore, it’s important to consider all the out-of-pocket costs you may incur from this operation (deductible, co-insurance, and copays). Weight-loss surgery providers often suggest that one obtains a loan to offset the medical costs.
But before you do, you need to consider if taking on a monthly loan similar to a car payment is worth it when there are other effective and cheaper alternatives for losing weight.
2. Blood Clots
Aside from the risks linked to having an anesthetic, several other issues can occur after weight-loss surgery. One of the biggest concerns for anyone who has undergone an invasive surgery is blood clots in the legs (deep thrombosis).
Blood clots are one of the most severe risks of bariatric surgery.
Patients have limited movement after undergoing weight loss surgery. Hence, blood clots may occur in the legs and go all the way up to the lungs, affecting their ability to take in oxygen (O2). An infection may also develop inside the surgical cut, especially if the wound is neglected. All of these are temporary risks. However, blood clots may result in long-term health issues, especially if blood clotting causes a severe stroke or heart attack.
3. Inability to Absorb Nutrients in the Gastrointestinal Tract
Weight-loss surgeries that affect the GI tract can also cause severe vitamin and protein deficiencies. The more complicated a bariatric surgery is, the more the possible risks. Two good examples of procedures that lead to absorption problems in the GI tract are Roux-en-Y and the biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch.
Another procedure that is known to result in nutritional deficiencies is using biliopancreatic diversion without the duodenal switch to lose weight.
The riskiest among the three procedures above is biliopancreatic diversion without the duodenal switch.
Protein and vitamin deficiencies caused by the inability to take in nutrients can result in serious health complications. These include dementia and heart failure. You will have to be taking various vitamins and supplements for the remainder of your life to mitigate the risks. However, this inability to absorb nutrients will be a long-term risk and predisposes you to regain weight and to slow your metabolism.
4. Osteoporosis & Weakened Skeletal Structure
Calcium deficiencies are often linked to medical procedures that alter the way nutrients are absorbed in the digestive tract. Sometimes, a deficiency in calcium may cause a hunched back and brittle bones, and medication is usually needed to prevent worsening symptoms.
In some instances, patients who undergo weight-loss surgery may have osteoporosis, a life-long, dangerous bone condition that causes bone degeneration. This ailment makes the bones easily fractured and broken, worsening as you age.
5. Long-Term Intolerance to Food
There is also a chance of developing chronic nausea. On many occasions, it may result in food intolerance during the recovery time for bariatric surgery. Some patients who have undergone this surgery thinking of it as the best way to lose weight cannot eat without having severe nausea or vomiting.
In some cases, patients require hospitalization to prevent malnutrition, which is among the most common and serious bariatric surgery risks. And there’s no way you can tell before surgery if this will occur to you. If it does happen, you will likely need to take medications that relieve nausea.
The Best Alternatives to Surgeries to Lose Weight
There are other options to live a long and healthy life, aside from weight loss surgery and long-term commitment to various medications. Remember that medications and weight-loss surgery may seem to offer a quick solution but don’t teach patients how to eat healthily.
Moreover, to lose weight, many people have followed fad diets, DIY low carb diets, and tried liquid medical diets. However, these only work in the short term.
If you want to achieve real success with weight loss, you have to learn how to eat healthily. Remember, that and your diet plan needs to be based on you, your body, your lifestyle, and your goals.
Here at BioIntelligent Wellness, we have helped many patients, before and after bariatric surgery, to lose weight. At our weight loss clinic located in San Diego, CA, we work with many physicians who recommend their patients consult with us before referring them to a bariatric surgeon. We find that many who were initially considering surgery opt for the Ideal Protein weight loss program (based on a low carb diet approach)—no drugs, pills, or operations.
Ideal Protein is a Low-carb Diet for Losing Weight
The Ideal Protein protocol offers fast weight loss while following a low carb diet approach, even to those who have failed other programs and helps establish a strong foundation to maintain the loss.
This program doesn’t focus on a lifetime of dieting but has a beginning and an end. It focuses on educating the client while losing, so you learn how not to diet after weight loss. You’ll learn how people gain weight, and what a healthy diet is all about. This program teaches you how to create a healthy relationship with food and your body.
Conclusion
One of the more common phrases we hear from clients is, “I wish I had heard about this program before; I have wasted so many years dieting the wrong way.” Do you want to see how the Ideal Protein low-carb diet can be the best way to lose weight for you?
At BioIntelligent Wellness, we offer a 15-minute complimentary consultation to help you figure out how to lose weight as well as maintain your weight loss results. Schedule a free consultation or click here to learn how it can help you lose fat fast and keep it off forever.
