Getting Bariatric Surgery Before the Holidays – Pros and Cons
Weight gain during the holidays is common, and the pound or two usually gained between Thanksgiving and New Year’s will often stick around longer than welcomed. Preventing weight gain during the holiday season can be difficult, and in some cases, individuals may feel the need for bariatric surgery.
The question is, will bariatric surgery truly help prevent weight gain during the holidays? There are pros and cons to getting LAP band or gastric sleeve surgery prior to the season, and having a clear idea of both will help you make an informed decision about it.
Pros
The purpose of bariatric surgery is to help you control the portions you eat and—in some surgeries like gastric bypass—reduce the number of calories you absorb from food. This can be a huge benefit to you prior to the holiday season as it helps you limit the amount you eat.
In addition to assisting with portion control, gastric bypass surgery, in particular, can reduce the appeal of certain foods. For example, dumping syndrome is a condition that accompanies gastric bypass surgery. This condition involves vomiting and diarrhea after eating foods high in sugar. While unpleasant, this could help you cut back on the number of sweets you eat this season.
Cons
In order to be effective, bariatric surgery must be accompanied by proper diet and exercise. These are harder to maintain during the holidays when the temperatures drop and tons of delicious holiday meals are served. If you’re not careful to limit what you eat and prioritize certain foods, you can end up malnourished as you fill up on high-calorie food. This can negate the purpose of the surgery, ultimately making it a wasted effort.
Getting Bariatric Surgery
Weight loss surgeons like Dr. Malladi can help you determine what will work best for you, including whether you need weight loss surgery and when it should be carried out. To learn more about whether weight loss surgery is right for you before the holidays, contact Malladi Bariatrics and Advanced Surgery.
