Gastric Bypass Information
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Gastric Bypass Alternatives
Gastric bypass surgery is a fairly recent phenomenon,
but obesity is not.
Although many more people are dangerously overweight than ever before,
there have been individuals who struggle with this condition since the
beginning of time. Some of those people have been able to lose their
weight and regain their health without the invasive bariatric procedure.
This page will search for possible alternatives.
Fasting
Although fasting is a major part of the post-gastric bypass
diet, few doctors suggest water fasts for the non-surgical patient.
There are exceptions, such as Dr. Joel Fuhrman, the author of Fasting
and Eating for Health
However, even doctors who believe fasting can help cleanse the system
do not suggest water fasts for most obese patients. A fast that is not
carefully supervised will simply be one more crash diet, and may even
be unhealthy or dangerous for people with the usual complications of
obesity. Juice fasting has gained some popularity, and this is also
a part of the post-surgical diet.
No fast can be continued long enough for a patient to
lose in excess of 100 pounds, so this does not appear to be a reasonable
permanent solution to obesity. However, some obese patients may benefit
from a short fast used for its cleansing properties, and closely monitored
by a physician or naturopath who has experience with this form of therapy.
If you consider a water or juice fast, be sure to talk it over in depth
with your doctor before making your final decision.
Low Calorie Diets
A low calorie diet is from 1,200 to 1,500 calories a day.
This is far less than most people now eat, and a low calorie diet plus
exercise will help a patient lose weight. Eating less of one's normal
diet is probably not a great idea, since most people in the United States
do not eat enought vegetables and fruits on a daily basis. If the "normal"
diet is poor in nutrients, reducing the portions will leave the patient
hungry, and may cause fatique, dizzy spells, and other unpleasant or
even dangerous side effects. Nutritional counselling and behavioral
modification should be strongly considered, if this is to be used as
a permanent solution to weight loss.
Very Low Calorie Diets
The same suggestions apply to very low calorie diets,
which may contain as few as 800 calories a day. Studies have proven
that patients who stay on a nutritionally balanced 800 calorie diet
can lose the majority of their excess weight. But studies also show
that the majority of those patients will regain their weight soon after
the end of the diet, unless they are very strongly motivated and have
made permanent changes to their habits and behaviors around food. Unfortunately,
the same can be said for post-surgical gastric bypass patients, who
are forced to undergo a very low calorie diet in the months following
thier surgery, but who can, and sometimes do, go back to their old habits
and regain their weight.
Diet Pills
There are several medications that have been approved
by the FDA for use in weight loss for the obese patient, but few doctors
consider these medications as a permanent solution to obesity.
Behavior Modification Therapy
Changing the diet temporarily cannot be a permanent alternative
to gastric bypass surgery. Most Centers of Excellence and insurance
companies now even insist on psychological counseling for candidates
for weight loss surgery. Food is always available, and habits must be
changed if obesity is to be controlled. Finding a therapist who is an
expert in behavior modification may take considerable research.
Articles on The Alternatives to Gastric Bypass Surgery:
Note: The information given here should
not be taken as medical advice. Be sure to talk to your doctor
about any concerns you may have about gastric bypass surgery.
New Diet
Controls Your Appetite, Naturally - The one diet
that uses satisfying whole foods to control your appetite, stop
food cravings, and help you burn fat faster, all without the hunger
that causes most people to give up their diets.
Stress
Free Weight Loss - Hundreds of original
articles on weight loss. Includes a listing of bariatric surgeons
by state, and a report on health insurance and gastric bypass
surgery.
Beat your sugar
addiction - This is the easy program that has helped
hundreds of people kick the sugar habit, so they can lose weight
and stay committed to a healthy diet.
