Written by: Emma Squillace
Weight loss surgery and non-surgical procedures like the gastric balloon, are known to be safe and successful treatments for many people. And we know that there are almost 100 million people in the US with obesity. When people with obesity have bariatric surgery or a weight loss balloon, one of the things they tell us frequently is “I don’t know why I waited so long!” So that’s exactly what we’ll talk about today. Why do many people wait to have bariatric surgery or a gastric balloon? Here’s what we’ve learned from our experience and our patients:
Fear of the procedure
It is very normal to be fearful of undergoing surgery, or even an endoscopic gastric balloon placement. However, keep in mind that these operations are much less invasive than they were decades ago. Today, almost all of our procedures are done in a minimally invasive way. This means smaller scars, shorter recovery, and less pain in general. During your actual procedure, you will be asleep. We give you medication so that you’ll feel no pain, and will not remember the procedure. Most patients fall asleep, and wake up shortly after in the recovery room. Many of our patients go home within hours of their procedure. When needed, we will make sure you have pain medication to ensure your recovery is as comfortable as possible.
Want to try dieting one more time
If you want to lose weight, chances are you’ve tried many diets, many times. You likely have learned from experience that it’s incredibly difficult to lose a significant amount of weight and keep that weight off. Research confirms your experience: it truly is a small number of people that are able to move from being obese to being normal weight, without medical help. If you think you should try diet and exercise one more time, it may make sense to schedule a consultation with us first anyway. One reason is that some insurance companies require a documented 6-month period of supervised dieting before they’ll approve payment for bariatric surgery. We are able to help you with the monitoring of that time period.
Worried about the stigma of “taking the easy way out”
If you’ve heard people dismiss weight loss surgery as “the easy way out,” you’re not alone. But this is a ridiculous statement. Why should an effective, needed, medical treatment be put off for longer than necessary? Anyone who has had a bariatric surgery will tell you that the success they attain after the operation is not because they found an easy way. Instead, losing weight with these procedures is still a lot of hard, dedicated work. The procedure is simply a tool that makes your efforts that much more effective and long-lasting. With the negative health consequences of obesity, denying someone the ability to receive a procedure that’s proven effective, makes no sense.
Afraid they’ll fail to lose weight after the surgery or balloon
Some of our patients have told us they were worried they’d have a surgery or balloon, and still not be able to lose weight. It’s an understandable fear, because so many people have tried – and failed – to lose weight in the past. However, we have a team dedicated to your success. This dedication is not just for your procedure date, but is for as long as you are on your weight loss journey. Our experts are here to make sure you are set up for success, and know how to make the decisions that will carry you through any obstacles you run into. Dr. Hooman and his team have helped so many people finally succeed at weight loss, so they know how to empower you to be successful as well.
If you are a candidate for weight loss surgery, or a non-surgical option like the gastric balloon, we do not want fear to stand in your way. Our team is here to talk to you and answer any questions you have. Even if you don’t think you’re 100% ready for surgery, talk to us and learn about the journey and all of your options. Our supportive, knowledgeable team can be reached at (855) 690-0565.