Effects of Bariatric Surgery on Your Appetite & Lifestyle
Hunger pangs are the chronic gnawing sensations in the abdominal region that signal the early stages of hunger. These sensations as well indicate the contractions of the stomach and the intestines. The overall effect motivates an individual to eat according to the needs of his body. Appetite may be greatly increased in some people and they eventually eat more than what their bodies need. The rate in which hunger pangs and appetite coexist is somewhat proportionally relative, giving us the idea that hunger pangs is synonymous with appetite.
Weight loss surgeries promise the decrease on the sensations that relate to one’s eating habits. Most bariatric procedures get rid of the gut volume and thus affect the source of hormones released that is responsible for the appetite and visceral contractions.
A study by Doucet E. (Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care, Sept., 2008) reviewed the contribution of substances called gut peptides to the improved control in appetite after bariatric surgery. His findings showed that one of the mechanisms that may have explained the large weight losses after bariatric surgery was the altered secretion pattern of appetite-related gut peptides. The anorectic hormones cited in the study were: peptide YY and glucagon-like peptide-1; and the orexigenic (appetite stimulating) hormone ghrelin. In summary, the increasing results available to explain how these substances respond after bariatric procedure provide “support for the role of some of these hormones in the long-term success rates of obesity surgery.”
The mechanism involved in weight loss surgery range from simple mechanical restriction to reduction of food absorption by resection or rearranging the gut anatomy. The effect of appetite decrease differs among patients as it varies from one type of bariatric procedure to another. However, the overall effect of the procedure is minimizing the food intake by suppressing the appetite that helps patients overcome hunger pangs in the long run.
The initial response to curb the gnawing hunger is the key to progress to the treatment regimen. This behavior starts up the patient’s motivation to create a more realistic goal of losing weight. Dietary control has taken place once an individual responds to overcoming his appetite from food. Controlling this sensation should be supported by consistent follow-ups to the doctor and exercise programs.
Part of aftercare responsibilities of patients is defining outcomes and expectations. The follow-up should be done after a minimum of two years by a multi-professional team. A lifelong commitment should be practiced along with defined pathways for managing poor outcomes. Most patients however are positive on achieving their goals. Upon losing the usual heightened appetite from food, the chronic hunger pangs eventually are removed post-operatively. These individuals become more critical on their food choices and do exercise accordingly.
Some patients agree that their behavior toward food has changed dramatically after the surgery due to the following 2 reasons:
- Intentional strategy – by eating smaller snacks during the day, minding the type of food they eat, and by avoiding carbohydrate-rich foods.
- Positive attitude – enjoying the food choices they have developed in order to combat further weight gain.
The effect of weight loss surgery on fat burning due to decreased appetite and food intake is the driving force for patients to get them started early on exercise. This early exercise program also keeps the muscle mass from wasting brought about by the fast catabolism after the surgery. The catabolic process can be altered however by exercises that eventually shift metabolism to fat burning instead of muscle wasting. Patients who have helped themselves positively, have also found a way to continue this regimen and support the positive effect of the bariatric surgery.
This kind of attitude should be kept to improve the effect of the procedure in long term. It needs a motivating factor; that is the initial effects of the surgery which are noticeable after a few weeks. The appetite control creates the continuous intentional strategy and thus, the positive attitude from within the individual. Food choices are critically managed accordingly and exercise program is followed. After a month of surgery, weight-training could be incorporated with the advice of the attending physician. A combination of aerobic exercise and muscle training usually are combined in the exercise program to maintain fat burning and prevent muscle loss. With the consistent follow-up with the doctor and carrying out of the orders from a multi-professional group, weight loss is positively acquired and maintained by a determined patient. It only takes an aim, a disciplined and a consistent mind to achieve your goal and maintain a healthy body weight after a bariatric surgery.
