After receiving many e-mails from MFWF followers asking if lap band and bypass surgeries are healthy ways to overcome the fight with fat, My Fight With Fat Founder, Armando Aguilar decided to do more research on these procedures.
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Armando had the opportunity to meet Dr. Salvador Valencia who allowed him to be in the OR while performing a bypass surgery.
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| We would like to share this amazing experience with you. Photos are graphic see with caution. |
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This patient had the lap band which had not been successful for him. He soon regained his weight back which made him lose his motivation and self esteem.
The procedure of removing the patient’s lap band was a very difficult procedure since the lap band embeds within one’s body. |
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Next step for patient was a bypass. Dr. Salvador explained more on this procedure: |
 Bariatric Surgery….
What is it? And who is it for?
By M. Salvador Valencia M.D., F.A.C.S.
Introduction
According to recent statistics from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, in the U.S. approximately 65 percent of the population is overweight, more than 60 million Americans are obese and about 3 million are morbidly obese (BMI >40 kg/m2 ). According to the U.S. Surgeon General, more than 12.5 million children age 2 to 19 are overweight. The most common causes of obesity are: |
- Lifestyle habits: Poor diet and low levels of daily activity.
- Illness: Hypothyroidism, Cushing Syndrome and depression.
- Psychology: Mental illness and emotional problems.
- Genetics: Obesity can often be traced to genes, and the brain can induce appetite tendencies.
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Knowing the various reasons that people become obese can help you understand your own struggle more clearly. You may be able to lose weight and improve your health by addressing the causes of your obesity. But sometimes these attempts do not work without surgery. If you have been losing the battle with obesity, it may be time to consider bariatric surgery.
Bariatric surgery is a term derived from the Greek words: weight and treatment. In simple terms, bariatrics concerns the causes, prevention and treatment of severe overweight, a condition known as morbid obesity. Bariatric operations are major gastrointestinal procedures which alter the capacity and/or the anatomy of the digestive system. Some bariatric procedures are performed using general anesthesia via a midline abdominal incision. Modern bariatric surgeons also use laparoscopic surgical techniques, involving smaller instruments connected to cameras through which they view the operational site.
The two types of bariatric surgeries are: Restrictive - like Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) or Gastric Band and, Combined restrictive and malabsorptive - such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RNYGBP).
The most common bariatric surgery in the U.S. is the RNYGBP due to its effectiveness and long term success rate. This surgery makes the stomach smaller and allows food to bypass part of the small intestine. You will feel full more quickly than when your stomach was its original size which reduces the amount of food you eat and thus, the calories consumed. Bypassing part of the intestine also results in fewer calories being absorbed. This leads to weight loss that averages 78% of your excess body weight (EBW) even after 5 years. With that said, Bariatric Surgery is not for everybody nor substitutes adequate lifestyle changes and implementing a routine exercise program, in other words surgery is not a quick fix but just a very effective tool to help you in your weight loss journey. |
| To be considered candidate for bariatric surgery you should be: |
- Between 17-65 years old
- 100+ pounds overweight
- Under treatment if suffer depression or another major psychiatric disorder
- Alcohol/drug addiction problem free
- BMI 35 with comorbidities like diabetes, sleep apnea, etc.
- Not considering pregnancy in the next 2 years
- Willing to follow dietary instructions
- Well informed about all the different surgical options and their long term complications
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| Unless you meet all the criteria, you should not consider bariatric surgery. This is a major decision and all the pros and cons of each procedure should be considered as complications may even cause death. To help you make a decision, talk to a qualified bariatric physician and surgeon. Whether you decide to have weight loss surgery or not, understanding your condition is vital for losing weight and keeping the weight off. |
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| My Fight With Fat would like to thank Dr. Salvador Valencia for allowing us to be a part of this amazing experience and for taking the time to teach us and others what a bypass surgery really is, as well as who it is for. My Fight With Fat points out that nothing will work if you are not ready to make a life change. A bypass does not mean you will be immune to acquiring any of the top killing diseases associated with FAT & Obesity. It is still necessary to make many lifestyle changes such as healthier eating, daily exercise & positive thinking/motivation, to reach your goals. |
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| This has been a special report from My Fight With Fat and many more to come. We would also like to thank everyone for their e-mails in this subject. If you would like to contact Dr. Salvador Valencia you can reach him at his personal e-mail svalencia.ucla@gmail.com given to MFWF following only. |
