If you have been watching your weight go up and you are worried about the rising pounds, you may be wondering whether weight loss surgery really works. Is it possible to prevent future weight gain by putting yourself on a well-known weight loss surgical operation?Today, weight loss surgeries are gradually gaining recognition when it comes to losing weight. Many health experts contend that people who are excessively overweight or has slower metabolism would normally require some surgical operations.Surgery at PresentThe greatest progress in the care of the surgical patient has taken place since the beginning of the present century. An increasing knowledge of disease and disorder as a result of research has permitted the development of many diagnostic aids. Some of these depend upon roentgenograms, laboratory procedures such as chemical, bacteriologic, and pathologic determinations, as well as monitoring devices and computer aids. Hence, the result is that the diagnosis of disease and disorder is made with more exactness and certainty than was possible from the simple clinical examinations of previous days. That is why people who wish to undergo weight loss surgery should no longer be afraid of the procedure because high clinical standards are now being implemented in every surgical operation.The Concept of Weight Loss SurgeryHealth experts contend that weight loss surgery is a “major surgery.” One of the most common reasons why people would like to lose weight is to enhance their physical attributes. However, it should not be the underlying motivation that they should undergo the process of weight loss surgery. What people do not know is that weight loss surgery is especially generated to help obese people live longer, healthier, and better.That is why it is important for an individual to meticulously analyze his or her situation, do some research about the process, and analyze if weight loss surgery is the ultimate choice for his or her physiological condition.Moreover, it is important to gather further information about weight loss surgery by consulting an experienced and knowledgeable bariatric surgeon or even just an expert family physician who knows the ins and outs of weight loss surgery.In addition, the patient should also consult the other health experts such as the psychiatrist and dietician with regards to some psychological advices on long-term goals after the operation.Generally, patients who have undergone weight loss surgery are said to be successful if they were able to lose 50% or more of their extra body weight and will be able to maintain that condition for the next five years or so. However, the results of the operation may still vary depending on the clinical information of the patient and the skills of the bariatric surgeon.Normally, the patient will be able to lose at least 30% to a maximum of 50% during the first six months after surgery; and within the year after the operation, the patient has the potential of losing weight up to a maximum of 77%.Best of all, people who were able to loss weight through surgical operations can actually maintain a continuous weight loss of up to 50% to 60% in the next 10 to 14 years after surgery.Factors to ConsiderAs with the other weight loss management programs, there are many factors to consider before the patient should decide to undergo weight loss surgery. Consequently, the actual weight that will be lost is reliant on the weight before surgery, surgical procedure, patient’s age, capability to exercise, total health condition of the patient, dogged determination to maintain the necessary follow-up nurture, and the enthusiasm to succeed with the help of their family, friends, and their colleagues.If you have just put on a few extra pounds and want to avoid gaining more, these weight loss surgeries for better health may seem convincing. But, in addition to being convinced, you may also have to take some action to ensure that your weight does not creep upward.Therefore, it can be concluded that losing weight is not just a question of deciding to be strong-willed and determined or upbeat and positive. Lifestyle changes are where it is at for long-term success with your weight especially after weight loss surgery.

What is a bland diet? It is a diet specially set to treat certain gastrointestinal or stomach problems such as heartburns, ulcers and gas.

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An answer to a question, what is a bland diet, is that it is a simple treatment for people suffering from any one or more gastrointestinal disorders such as chronic gastritis, ulcer, esophagitis and dyspepsia.

Bland diet is a dietary regimen for people suffering from stomach disorders. Hence, it is quite understood that ingredients of a bland diet are soft food items, which are easy to digest with a capacity to keep the acidity to low levels. Questions about diet may be asked to your physicians and he/she can suggest the diet or recommend a dietician to do it.

Diet medical questions may include the queries about the food stuffs to eat and food stuffs to avoid during the time while a person experien ces any gastrointestinal disorders. However, before a dietician could decide the bland diet for a person, he/she needs to seek answers to several medical questions related to the person such as any food allergies or irritations associated with any food items and emotions medical questions of people.

Bland Diet:

The diet prescribed as a bland diet will include food items that are easy to digest and low in fiber and acid contents. Even giving up alcohol and smoking is advised while patient is on bland diet. Also a patient is advised to have 4 to 6 light meals after regular interval to avoid heavy and large meals.

Chewing food properly and eating slowly helps in the digestion of the food. Adequate sleep, avoiding smoking and controlling anxiety are supportive treatments for the standard treatment of the problem.

Allowed Food Items:

• Dairy Products
Milk, cheese, yogurt with low-fats and other dairy products are easily digested and hence, can be included as a part of bland diet. However, there is no restriction on ice-creams and one may consume even ice creams during bland diet, but it should not have any product such as nuts that are not allowed in bland diet.

• Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Fresh vegetables and fruits are allowed to a bland dieter. However, while carrot, squash, green peas are good to eat in a bland diet, broccoli, onions and green peeper should be avoided as it forms gas. In fruits, oranges, grapefruits, and bananas are allowed.

• Proteins
Protein requirement of the body, while on a bland diet should be met with soy products and meat. Fried chicken and greasy hamburgers are not allowed to be consumed, while grilled and baked chicken is allowed.
Low-fat peanut butter and eggs are also efficient to meet the body’s protein requirement in a bland diet.

• Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are contained in whole grain breads, pasta, oatmeal, corn flakes, white rice and sweet potatoes. All these food items are allowed.

Bland diet is designed for treating certain medical circumstances such as gastrointestinal problems. Hence, to answer what is a bland diet, we can say that this is a diet that aims at improving the digestion with the help of a timed-routine diet and soft to digest food items. Once the problem is controlled patients can return to their normal diet.

The diet plan industry would like you to believe that losing weight can be so easy if you just take this pill or try that diet. Although we all know there’s no such thing as a free lunch, we want to believe them.

There is no magic pill or easy button when it comes to weight loss. To date, the most effective solution is weight loss surgery. It won’t be easy and you’ll need lots of support along the way.

In a good bariatric program with a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, patient support begins before your operation, from the time you begin learning about bariatric surgery and deciding which procedure is right for you.

Your Bariatric Surgery Options

Although there are several types of bariatric surgery, the most common procedures are gastric banding (lap band), gastric bypass and gastric sleeve.

Lap Band – The advantage of adjustable gastric band is that it is adjustable. The band can be adjusted or filled to ensure that you’re satisfied with 2 or 3 meals a day, eating small portions.

Gastric Bypass – The primary advantage of gastric bypass is losing weight rapidly, facilitated by both a smaller stomach and rerouted intestine. Not only will you eat less, but the food you do eat will pass through your body quickly.

Gastric Sleeve – The main advantage of the gastric sleeve is that it limits the amount of food you can eat with natural digestion process because the digestive tract is not altered.

Surgery is the tool to jumpstart your weight loss process. However, bariatric surgery is just one part of your weight-loss program. If you are considering surgery, you should look for the following in your bariatric surgery team:

A fellowship-trained, American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) Center of Excellence surgeon.

A clinical nutritionist to work with you on your eating habits and help you develop a healthy eating plan. For long term success, learning to cook health nutritious food is essential. If your nutritionist doesn’t provide this training, there are an abundance of tips and recipes for bariatric surgery friendly cooking online.

A behavioral health professional to talk about your weight-loss goals, provide clear expectations, and help you handle the emotional obstacles that could derail you weight-loss success.

Medical specialists and other healthcare professionals, including cardiologists, pulmonologists, and endocrinologists.

A pre-surgical evaluation, including lab work, electrocardiograms (EKG’s), and stress testing.

Experienced and knowledgeable staff for assistance with insurance forms and other paperwork.

Ongoing support and encouragement from gastric bypass, gastric sleeve and lap band patients who understand your challenges.

Follow-up care, including lifetime monitoring.

Your program should be designed to teach you to address and overcome the causes of your obesity. Combining the proper techniques, lifestyle changes and exercise will help you lose the excess weight and maintain a healthier lifestyle.

Use all the tools at your disposal to support your commitment to changing your lifestyle for the better, especially support from family, friends and your surgical team