Combating Psychological Distress and Obesity
How often do you look in the
mirror and beat yourself up over your weight? Do you feel uncomfortable in your
own skin? Well, you may be suffering from some psychological distress that
stems from your weight and you are not the only one. In fact, obese individuals
are 25% more likely to suffer from a mood disorder, like depression, compared
to those who are not obese according to Everyday Health. While we all want to love our
bodies, sometimes we might feel like we can't because it's hard to get in the
right mindset.
The
unfortunate reality is that we live in a culture that praises slim and toned
bodies while shaming others who are obese and overweight. This harsh reality
can be difficult to overcome, especially if you have been struggling with your
weight your entire life. It is quite possible that you have tried everything in
your power to get your weight under control, whether that was through diet,
exercise or medication, but when it doesn't produce your desired results, it
can make you feel defeated and depressed.
You may
question why this happens - according to Harvard Health, over 400 different genes
contribute to the development of weight and many affect metabolism rates,
body-fat distribution and the feeling of fullness. This means that the struggle
with your weight isn't necessarily due to diet, it can be due to genetics and
that's one thing that no one can control.
While we all
know obesity can cause adverse health problems, pairing that with the
psychological toll doesn't make it any easier to overcome the problem. In fact,
overweight people tend to have less energy than their normal weight peers and
that makes it much harder for them get active. It ends up becoming a vicious
circle where an obese person has a greater risk of gaining even more weight and
that increases the chances that they are less likely to become more active.
So how can
an overweight person battle their psychological distresses and obesity if all
attempts to lose weight has failed? When all options seem like they have disappeared,
they may be able to turn to bariatric surgery, which can change their life
drastically for the better.
Bariatric Surgery By The Numbers
Bariatric surgery has progressed
greatly since it was first put in practice and as medical technology improved,
so did the procedure. According to the American Society for Metabolic
and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), approximately 16,000 procedures occurred annually in the early
90s. Fast-forward to procedure numbers in 2008 and an estimated 220,000 people
underwent the surgery. Additionally, laparoscopic bariatric operations increased
over 20% in 2003 to more than 90% in 2008. Plus, the in-hospital mortality rate
decreased to a nominal 0.10% according to a study from the Journal of the American
College of Surgeons.
Opting for
the procedure may give an obese individual numerous health and psychological
benefits. For instance, the ASMBS cites that bariatric patients have a
60% reduced risk of cancer mortality, death associated with diabetes is reduced
by more than 90% and mortality from heart disease declines by more than 50%. The
surgery decreases the size of the stomach, which results in the patient feeling
full much quicker and reduces the amount of food intake. After the surgery, the
stomach will only hold roughly one cup of food in contrast to a normal stomach
holding 4 to 6 cups of food. This, of course, cuts down the amount of calories
an individual takes in and results fast weight loss.
However,
depending on the specific weight loss surgery, food capacity can vary as there
are three different procedures: lap band surgery, laparoscopic gastric bypass
surgery and laparoscopic gastric sleeve surgery. But, whichever bariatric surgery in Oklahoma that's performed at Summit Med
Center, patients will immediately be put on the road to weight loss!
Additionally, a bariatric patient may lose 30% to 50% of their extra weight
within 6 months and maintaining a healthy diet with a proper exercise routine
will allow them to continue to lose weight.
Once a
bariatric patient begins to see results, they may also start to experience
improved psychological well-being. Referring back to a study from Everyday
Health, they found that patients who underwent surgery had 'an accompanying 18% reduction in their symptoms of depression and
noted that younger patients, women and those who experienced greater weight
loss were more likely to feel less depressed.' Additionally, they suggested
that both, the procedure and visits with a psychologist, might be the best approach
to combat the psychological distress associated with their obesity.
Is Bariatric Surgery Right For
You?
The US
National Institutes of Health only recommends bariatric surgery for obese
people who have a body mass index (BMI) of at least 40 or of at least 30 with
an existing obesity-related medical condition like diabetes, sleep apnea, high
blood pressure, severe arthritis or others. Your doctor will be able to
determine your eligibility as each individual case is different and specific
for the person who is considering the procedure.
Labels: bariatric surgery in Oklahoma City, psychological distress
posted by Summit Medical Center @ 5:50 AM
3 Comments
3 Comments:
Bariatric surgery has the slowest rate of weight loss when compared to other surgeries. Volusia bariatric surgery
21212
Chirurgie Tunisie prix
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home