Dr. Feiz and Associates Answers July ‘Patient Submitted Question of the Month’: “How Quickly Can I Expect to Lose Weight”
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) August 07, 2015 -- This month’s question to leading bariatric surgeon Michael Feiz, M.D., F.A.C.S, is a popular one because it’s only natural for patients to wonder how long it will be before they can begin a life free of obesity. It is first and foremost necessary for all patients to understand that no two cases are exactly the same, and patients often lose weight at very different rates, with different degrees of success keeping it off. According to Dr. Feiz, while most patients who follow their doctor’s advice can expect to lose weight within a certain range, a number of factors can influence the rate of weight lost. He also notes that perhaps the most important of these factors is exactly what type of weight loss surgery each patient had; it’s not unusual for Lap Band and sleeve gastrectomy patients to ask the doctor if their weight loss is typical for their stage of their weight loss journey. He explains that there have been sufficient studies of patients of each procedure to predict that patients will lose weight at a rate within a reasonable range:
• Lap Band – Many patients choose the Lap Band because it has the lowest rate of serious complications of all major weight loss surgeries, or because it is completely reversible if the patient finds they cannot adjust to the procedure, says Dr. Feiz. While Lap Band patients and gastric sleeve patients often land at the same total amount of weight lost, the Lap Band patients lose weight at a slower rate. Many patients find that, two years after surgery, they have lost around 50 percent of their excess weight with the Lap Band.
• Gastric Sleeve – Gastric sleeve patients often lose about 10 percent more of their excess weight in that same time frame, or often achieve the same number quicker, notes Dr. Feiz. Part of the reason for this is that the sleeve gastrectomy works both by restricting capacity, and by limiting the hunger hormone ghrelin, which is responsible for many of the food cravings we have on a daily basis and which tend to increase as we lose weight. Some of the section of the stomach that emits this hormone is removed with the procedure, meaning less ghrelin travels to the brain each time the stomach ”decides” it is time for a meal.
Of course, these results are a generalization across all patients, and different individuals may have very different experiences with weight loss surgery. What is important, however, is that patients considering weight loss surgery go to a doctor with the experience and expertise necessary to guide each patient to the procedure that is best for them. Any patients interested in scheduling a consultation with Dr. Feiz & Associates today can call the medical group at 310-855-8058 or visit them online at http://www.DrFeiz.com.
Michael Clauw, Cyberset Corp, +1 (818) 883-7277 Ext: 121, [email protected]
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