Here’s What Happens To Your Body After Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery, also called weight loss surgery (WLS), helps patients to lose weight by reducing the stomach and, consequently, reducing the intake of food. For people who have spent years living with morbid obesity, self-esteem and other health problems bariatric surgery sounds like a lifesaver. But many people forget that bariatric surgery is MAJOR surgery performed while you’re under general anesthesia. Complications can occur and the way your body looks and feels will not be the same again.

Although surgery complications are usually a person’s biggest fear, a lot of potential patients are also concerned about changing their body. The big changes that come with getting Bariatric surgery mean facing a few post-surgery issues we may not like. It is good to know what negative things can occur with your body after surgery so you can be more prepared to deal with them.

Here’s what happens to your body after bariatric surgery:

Change in body size

Bariatric surgery is not a cosmetic procedure, however, your body will change appearance and obesity related conditions will be cured. No one loses their weight immediately! It will take at least a couple of months for some of your psychical changes become noticeable.  Losing as much as a pound for every first 30 days after the surgery is normal. Keep in mind it is also possible to gain back the weight after surgery. Make sure you follow your doctor’s diet regime and have the right supplements and vitamins available to you after your surgery is over.

Hair Loss

Hair happens because of stress and lack of nutrition – common traits post-surgery. Basically, the hair comes to a dormant phase and fall out. The most important nutritional factors to help prevent hair loss are a diet with plenty of proteins and iron. Unfortunately, you cannot totally prevent hair loss from bariatric surgery, but this condition is usually only temporary.

Stretch Marks

No one likes stretch marks, but they are a part of weight loss and weight gain for everyone – obese or not. Even if you rub creams, lotions and oils on your skin, you may not prevent stretch marks from forming. People often believe that weight loss will cause stretch marks to disappear as the skin shrinks. However, weight loss may not only make old stretch marks worse but also cause new ones to form.

Loose Skin

When you work to lose a bunch of weight, you dream of a tighter, toned body. You don’t picture extra, loose skin. But that’s a real possibility and one that can cause health problems and a poor self-image. The elasticity of your skin depends on how long you were obese and how much the skin stretched because of it. It doesn’t matter if you dropped pounds quickly or slowly. The longer it was stretched out, the less likely it is to bounce back. There are a few things you can do to help remedy loose skin, but the most common cure requires a shaping surgery and it is quite expensive!

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