Obesity is far from being a mere question of vanity. It is a serious global problem that damages people’s self-esteem and health and causes diseases of different levels of severity. On a large scale, obesity reduces human life expectancy and considerably reduces the quality of the years lived compared to those individuals of normal-weight. One solution to this is having a gastric bypass surgery.
Dr Rein Adamson is one of Estonia’s leading bariatric surgeons. He is a member of the Tallinn Society of Surgeons and has been active in this field for 40 years. We asked Dr Adamson what people should know before undergoing surgery. “It would be good to reduce your body weight by around 5% prior to the surgery,” says Dr Adamson. “This is a sign of the patient’s motivation and helps reduce surgery-related risks. You should not smoke for at least one month prior to the surgery because it obstructs blood circulation and prevents new connections from healing.” He adds that patients should also reduce alcohol consumption because its effect is significantly more intensive after a bypass surgery.
What is a gastric bypass surgery? A gastric bypass surgery is a type of weight loss surgery, which aims to limit food intake. It is a very efficient method that reduces your weight drastically in the six months following the surgery. It is also worth stressing that the gastric bypass surgery is the most efficient bariatric procedure.
Our clinic’s experience shows that patients usually achieve their final weight in 18 to 24 months. During this time, the average patient loses 70-80% of their excess weight.
6 tips on what to do before surgery
- Read up on the topic of weight loss. Read relevant articles and books, watch videos and consult your friends and acquaintances who have previously undergone the surgery. Consult a specialist.
- Give up smoking because nicotine increases surgery-related risks. Avoid excessive alcohol consumption. It is best to avoid it altogether.
- Maintain a healthy diet and get sufficient rest. Try to eat regularly (three times a day) and eat smaller portions than usual. Eat healthy snacks such as nuts, vegetables and fruits in between meals. Drink a lot of water and avoid carbonated drinks, coffee and caffeinated tea. Get sufficient rest and go to bed early to get as much high-quality sleep as possible.
- Work out. You do not have to rush to the gym or run a marathon. Moderate daily exercise at home is sufficient.
- Change your way of thinking: in the context of both food and exercise and general lifestyle. Our attitudes contribute to the development of our habits to a great degree.
- Take care of your mental and emotional health. Analyse all the factors (people in your life, stress level, physical activity, etc.) that may affect your body weight and satisfaction with life.
If you are interested in weight loss surgery, do not hesitate to contact us. We will find the best way for you to feel comfortable in your own skin.
