Bariatric Surgery Is the Easy Way out.....Or Is It?

​ Over the last few months there have been a few articles about weight loss surgery, and I keep reading comments about surgery being “an easy way out” and that they should try “insert diet here” or “ stop being lazy”.

As someone who has worked on and off in this area for the past 7 years I find these comments really frustrating, and I know clients often feel disappointed when people they know have this type of negative reaction, rather than finding out more information about the surgery and supporting them in their choice to improve their health in this way.
 
So with this in mind I thought I would pop down a few of the things those undergoing bariatric surgery have to go through and why it isn’t “the easy way out”.

• After surgery the new stomach is so small and swollen that clients have to follow a special texture modified diet for  6 weeks or so – liquids, puree and then soft food. Long term, most clients have to stay with soft/moist food to be able to keep it down comfortably.

 

• Initially the portion sizes are tiny! Think ¼ cup of food per meal. It can also take up to a year to actually be able to eat 1-1.5 cups of food per meal, which is now the new normal portion size for them.

 

• Protein! This is a surgery client’s new favourite macronutrient. All meals revolve around protein, and despite wanting to eat other things this needs to come first. Food choice is taken away for the first 6 months or so really until they can eat a bigger volume of food.

 

• There is a very high risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies if you do not regularly take your multivitamin.

 

• Gastrointestinal issues are very real – think vomiting or pain after meals if the food texture is wrong, if eating too quick, or if eating too much. How about possible ‘dumping syndrome’ if a high sugar/fat food is eaten – think diarrhoea, sore tummies, or drops in blood sugar levels.

 

• Healthy eating and regular exercise are still needed after surgery. Don’t think you can just have surgery, eat poorly, not exercise, and expect the weight to come off/stay off.  Surgery clients are working just as hard on their diet and exercise as non-surgery clients.

 
Now that may all seem a little bleak, BUT, I have seen many peoples lives changed for the better because of surgery supported weight loss, and these were people who had tried all sorts of different weight loss methods for years. Why it was successful has so many different factors both related to the surgery itself, but also related to the person having surgery.
 
I have also seen real struggles and major problems post surgery. It is not the easy way out by any means and comes with real risks (short and long term). This is why surgery is not for everyone, and I think anyone considering this option needs to go in with their eyes wide open to the reality of it, be in a good psychological space, know that it is only a tool and not a quick fix, and be prepared to put themselves first on this journey.
 
So, if you know someone who is thinking about surgery, or had surgery. Be kind to them, their journey is their choice, and having a supportive group around them will aid in their success.