7 Top Myths about Weight-Loss Surgery BUSTED

Weight-loss surgery (WLS) and bariatrics are gaining popularity, and with good reason! With fame comes false information. We’re here to debunk the most common bariatric myths!

Myth: Weight-loss surgery is a last resort.

Bariatric surgery should be considered EARLY on in your weight-loss efforts. Typically, it is reserved for patients with a BMI of 40 or above, or 35 with comorbidities.

The longer patients wait, the more difficult things become; diseases have longer to develop, more weight is gained, and general health worsens.

If you need to lose weight, don’t wait! Consider bariatric surgery early and reap its benefits.

Myth: Weight-loss surgery is only for the morbidly obese.

WLS has been shown to be more effective for lower-BMI patients. This misconception goes hand-in-hand with the “last resort” myth. If you need to lose weight, bariatric surgery could be THE option.

At NYBG, we have procedures for the moderately obese to get them on track sooner. Options like the gastric balloon aren’t actually surgical, but make weight loss available to a wider audience. This way everyone can achieve their desired weight!

Myth: Weight-loss surgery brings instant results.

Bariatric surgery isn’t a magical solution. Weight doesn’t suddenly disappear after surgery. It takes time to lose it. You will lose weight more quickly than with diet and exercise alone, but don’t expect changes overnight. Just like anything else, hard work and determination are key factors to success!

Myth: You only need surgery, nothing else.

For patients to see successful results, they need to adopt a new lifestyle.

Bariatric surgery boosts the benefits of healthy behavior: eating right, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep.

After WLS, you won’t be able to eat the same foods in the same portions before. There’s a learning curve, but it WILL help you achieve a healthier life!

Myth: Weight-loss surgery costs too much.

Bariatric surgery is entirely affordable! In fact, most health insurance policies cover it.

At NYBG, we’ll be glad to work with your insurance provider to come up with a plan that works for you. Interested? We have resources to help get you started.

Myth: Weight-loss surgery is dangerous.

Every type of surgery has risks. However, with bariatric surgery, they are significantly lower!

Some people believe obesity is less dangerous than WLS. That’s not the case! Obesity can be fatal.

Overweight people can develop comorbidities like Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and hypertension. They can also have an increased cancer risk.

These are bigger threats to your health than complications from bariatric surgery.

Myth: You regain all of your lost weight.

A successful WLS is defined by the patient losing 50% or more of excess weight.

If patients regain weight, it is usually 5% of what they lost which isn’t a lot! Bariatric patients keep the weight off so well that it’s rare to see patients gain any more than that.

Myth: Weight-loss surgery leads to alcoholism.

People believe this because the effects of alcohol are enhanced after weight loss surgery. Lower weight makes people more sensitive to alcohol. And after certain procedures, drinking can lead to higher blood alcohol levels than before surgery. However, alcohol and weight loss, when combined, do not lead to alcoholism.

Patients who become alcoholics tend to have a history of alcohol or substance abuse prior to surgery. That’s why we recommend avoiding alcohol early on and limiting intake. But nothing about the surgery itself increases the patient’s likelihood to develop alcoholism.

Get Started Today!

Now you know the truth about weight-loss surgery, it’s time to do something with the information. NYBG offers a variety of procedures – vertical sleeve gastrectomy, gastric balloons, gastric bypass – that can help you achieve your weight-loss goals.

Start your journey with a free consultation: http://bariatric.stopobesityforlife.com/contact/

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I went in for surgery. An hour later, I came out a new man.

5.0

Everybody treated me like a king. The day of surgery, I was excited. The hospital couldn’t be any nicer. I went in for surgery. An hour later, I came out a new man. My recovery was awesome. I was out of bed that day. My wife and kids were my motivation on getting this surgery. They are my whole life. I’m happy I’m going to be around for them.

I hit my goal weight ... and I feel fabulous

5.0

I had the gastric bypass. I am Type 2 Diabetic and I wanted to gain control of my sugar. I hit my goal weight in about 5 and half months and I feel fabulous. The procedure has completely changed my life for the better because it has empowered me as a middle aged woman that I can really do everything and anything that I want to do. I don't put an age on anything. I don't say I'm too old for something.

I was tired of the way I looked. I was tired of the way I felt.

5.0

I knew if I didn't change something soon, I was going to be in a lot of trouble. The consultation process was a lot easier than I expected. I was met with open arms. I was treated like I was the only patient here. Not only did they answer all of my questions, they had questions for me to make sure I was the right candidate for the surgery. After surgery and that weight started dropping off, my life started changing for the better.

I feel like a completely different person.

5.0

I had the gastric sleeve procedure. The driving factor behind me getting this procedure was my health. I didn't feel good physically or mentally. I had joint pains, even standing was difficult sometimes. Emotionally, this surgery completely turned my life around. I have so much more confidence. So much more happiness. I feel like a completely different person. I feel stronger. I feel able to accomplish more.

It saved my life.

5.0

The driving factor behind me getting my procedure was that I couldn't get up off the floor with my granddaughter. That was my why. That was my big reason for having this surgery done. After surgery, it was a little bit of a struggle with what to eat. What you put in your mouth that you don't even think about. You don't think about what you're eating or how you're eating and portion size. It's what I do now every single day. The procedure has changed my life in so many ways. It saved my life.

I am totally comfortable in my own skin.

5.0

I think I always grew up identifying myself as less than other people because I was fat. I decided to tackle that and just live my life. I had a sleeve gastrectomy. It changed how I view myself. How I communicate with people. I'm able to be much more of myself and live the life I always thought I should have been living. I am totally comfortable in my own skin. You have the tools you need to succeed here.

I have a brand new life. I can do things I couldn't do before.

5.0

I had a vertical sleeve gastrectomy because I had just become diabetic, and I had hypertension for many years. I lost a total of 157 pounds in 11 months. I have a brand new life. I can do things I couldn't do before. Everyone at New York Bariatric Group has been wonderful. They are kind. They are understanding. They make you feel comfortable. They will guide you every step of the way on your journey so that you can be successful.