Dramatic Weight Loss: High BMI Bariatric Surgery Recovery
Here at Tijuana Bariatrics, we want to help as many people as possible. We know that surgical weight loss procedures can have a positive impact on people's lives, and the positive effects of the procedure should be available to those in need.
That said, high Body Mass Index (BMI) bariatric surgery is often rare, just given the challenges involved in performing the surgery and patient wellness after the procedure. Let's look at the basics and then consider some issues related to healing and recovery.
What Is a High BMI?
The BMI refers to a way of measuring body fat related to a person's weight and height. The ranges of BMI help determine what body mass range a person falls into. Broadly, they are as follows:
- Underweight – BMI less than 18.5
- Normal Weight – BMI 18.5-24.9
- Overweight – BMI 25.0-29.9
- Obesity (Class 1) – BMI 30.0-34.9
- Severe Obesity (Class 2) – BMI 35.0-39.9
- Morbid Obesity (Class 3) – BMI 40.0-49.9
- Superobesity/Extreme Obesity – BMI greater than 50.0
A high BMI in these cases would refer to people who suffer from higher-tier extreme obesity, such as BMIs of 75 or higher.
Risks Increase when a Person Is Extremely Obese
When a person has a high BMI, the risks increase for undergoing bariatric surgery, including potential issues with healing, hernias, and pneumonia. Much of this is due to the size of the patient's abdominal wall and the difficulties that poses when performing surgery. Recovery can be challenging as well given how dramatic the weight loss can be.
Preparing for Bariatric Surgery
If you have a high BMI, sometimes you will be asked to lose as much weight as you can naturally before you actually undergo the surgery. Sometimes this can be achieved through a liquid diet. Suitability for surgery and other factors can be discussed during your consultation.
In essence, healing begins before surgery, because you're making your body suitable to undergo the weight loss surgery.
Diet After Bariatric Surgery
In the weeks after you undergo bariatric surgery, you will have to make adjustments with regard to your diet. In the first week, your diet will be clear liquids only in order to avoid serious pain and discomfort to your stomach and digestive tract after surgery. Slowly over the course of the next few weeks, you will reintroduce solid foods. It's important to savor your meals, eat slowly, and to drink water between meals during this healing process.
Physical Activity After Bariatric Surgery
As you recover, it's important to walk around when possible. While strenuous physical activity should be avoided, this light activity is vital for ensuring proper blood circulation and avoiding blood clots. As you continue to recover from surgery, regular exercise will be important to help you lose more weight and do so in a healthy manner.
Seeking Emotional and Moral Support After Surgery
Food and exercise are both important, but it's similarly of great importance that you seek emotional support and moral support from loved ones as you heal. Losing a lot of weight can be psychologically difficult, especially as your relationship to food and the appearance of your body changes. In addition to speaking with your friends and family members about these matters, it's also of the utmost importance that you seek support networks online and perhaps even meet with a counselor to discuss the good and the bad of the healing process.
Learn More About Bariatric Surgery
To learn more about recovering from bariatric surgery and how our team can help you, be sure to contact our weight loss surgery center today. The team here at Tijuana Bariatrics is eager to help you on the road to a healthier life.
