Bariatric Surgery: Everything You Need to Know Before Doing It

Having better health and quality of life is a goal sought by many. However, the path to this goal involves obstacles. Losing weight and combating diseases like obesity is not an easy task, especially for those who have already tried all possible ways. This is when the idea of bariatric surgery comes to mind.

However, it is an invasive procedure that will change the routine, habits, and bodily functioning of the patient for the rest of their life. So, it is essential to know everything that this procedure involves so that you can get used to it. Let's go!

What is Bariatric Surgery and What is it Recommended For?

Bariatric surgery is a procedure that aims to reduce the size of the stomach - and sometimes a portion of the intestine - in order to combat excess weight caused by eating habits. There are 2 main types of this procedure:

Restrictive: involves techniques that only reduce the size of the stomach, and weight loss is due to reduced food intake;

Mixed: the techniques go beyond gastric reduction - they also make a direct bypass in the intestinal transit. So, in addition to food reduction, there is a reduction in their absorption;

To be eligible for bariatric surgery, the patient must meet several basic requirements and undergo a complex pre-operation evaluation. Below, we have listed some of them:

• Being over 16 years old and under 65. Approving bariatric surgery outside this age range is only possible in extreme cases;
• For patients over 40 Kg/m² - no comorbidities need to be proven;
• For those between 35 and 40 Kg/m² - at least 2 associated comorbidities;
• Patients between 30 and 35 Kg/m² - at least 2 comorbidities classified as severe and chronic.

It is important to be aware that, regardless of the type used, it is an extremely invasive procedure and in many cases irreversible. So, there will be consequences and precautions for the rest of your life.

The preparations - when bariatric surgery is recommended and approved - must be followed strictly, and a giant change in habits is already required. The patient begins their preparation by frequent monitoring with a multidisciplinary team.

In addition to surgeons and specialist doctors, they are accompanied by nutritionists, psychologists, psychiatrists, general practitioners, and cardiologists. Plus, all the necessary exams and nutritional and therapeutic preparations.

But, these precautions do not end in the post-operative period. In fact, they intensify! Especially the nutritional and psychological monitoring. They are necessary since it is necessary - literally - to learn how to eat and control your impulses again.

This is because, despite the smaller stomach, the brain does not understand this reduction. It is used to consuming the usual amount and type of food. If this stage is not well carried out and the patient is not committed, all the effort was in vain. Understand the risks:

Main Risks of Bariatric Surgery:

Below, we have listed some of the main complications that the procedure can bring to the patient:

• Pulmonary embolism - during or after surgery, especially in patients who already have a predisposition to the problem;
• Internal bleeding at the surgery site;
• Internal stitch fistulas;
• Vomiting and diarrhea with blood;
• Rapid loss of nutrients and inability to absorb at the same speed;
• Poor post-operative habits - leading to the procedure breaking and other complications;
• Weight gain, especially after 1 year of the procedure;

The Main Impacts of Bariatric Surgery and How They Can Be Prevented

The procedure is highly invasive. Basically, you are removing a considerable portion of your gastrointestinal system. And, this generates impacts that will be felt and must be taken care of for the rest of your life.

One of the main consequences is the decrease in the absorption of essential nutrients for the body. In addition, there are side effects specific to the surgery. With all this scenario, having the right supplementation is the best alternative and will guarantee you a better quality of life.

And, we at Belt Nutrition, are specialists in this! Learn more about these issues and how we are the best partner in your post-operative period:

1 - Severe nutritional deficiencies

Due to the reduction of the gastric apparatus, it is natural that the capacity to absorb nutrients also ends up being impacted. Especially when, in addition to the stomach, the intestine also undergoes intervention in the procedure.

One of the main problems faced by these patients is anemia and deficiency of important vitamin complexes - such as Vitamin B12.

Anemia is associated with low iron levels in the blood. For this scenario, we have developed Belt Iron, Vitamin C, and folic acid. In addition to combating the anemic process, its composition helps in post-operative recovery.

2 - Enhanced body and sanitary odors

One of the biggest complaints of bariatric patients is regarding the odors that start to intensify post-surgery. This occurs for various factors, one of them being the imbalance of the intestinal flora and deregulation of the production of other hormones that contribute to the problem.

To help those who are going through this inconvenience - which also affects interpersonal and social relationships - we created Belt Fresh Odor Neutralizer. Its formula contains chlorophyll - which helps regulate the intestinal flora.

In addition, it has the help of Vitamin E and essential minerals, which act as antioxidants, strengthen the immune system, and can balance excessive sweat production.

3 - The health of hair, skin, and nails is impaired

Another side effect of the surgery is on these structures. This occurs due to the low capacity to absorb proteins - which are essential in the formation of collagen and keratin, essential for skin, nails, and hair.

Therefore, it is natural that there is excessive hair loss, brittle nails, and drier skin. To reverse this situation, it is recommended to replace protein (essential for almost all bodily functions) and collagen.

Our Belt Collagen Plus contains hydrolyzed type 1 collagen, associated with vitamins that are essential to potentiate its absorption and effect. The Belt Whey Protein individual portion is able to replace your daily protein needs, in addition to bringing ease of consumption and transport.

What are you waiting for to know the benefits that our exclusive products for bariatrics can bring to your post-operative period and quality of life? Meet Belt and make it your best partner on this journey!