How safe is weight loss surgery?

Excess weight can affect your daily activities and lower your self-esteem. However, what is worse is that it leads to complications that can prove even fatal in the long term. Overweight people who cannot join a gym right away often try various weight loss methods including slimming pills and surgery. Bariatric surgery is a procedure to help one lose weight. For Singaporeans, the minimum BMI for bariatric surgery is 32.5 with diabetes, and 37.5 without it. Before getting operated for weight loss, read this lowdown on the potential risks associated with it.

What is bariatric surgery?

Weight loss surgery is considered to be the only option only for those that are morbidly obese. In some patients, it has been found to improve the quality of life considerably. It could even mean an improved sex drive and less chance of cardiovascular diseases. The three kinds of bariatric surgery include gastric banding, gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy. However, for a major percentage of the overweight population, the benefits are not likely to outweigh the harms.

Risks associated with the procedure

Surgery is actually a complicated way to lose weight. There are major risks associated with the procedure. The first is excessive bleeding, which is possible in any major surgery. Infection is equally likely. As is the case with any surgery, bariatric surgery can also go wrong if there are problems with administering anesthesia. Always get second opinion from a reputed slimming centre before going ahead with the procedure.

Complications post weight loss surgery

Long-term complications are a part of any major surgery. After weight loss surgery, you might experience bowel obstruction and other gastrointestinal problems. Diarrhea and nausea were also reported. Depending on which procedure you undergo, the severity and frequency of complications will differ. In general, gastric banding is the safest. However, it also results in less weight loss than the other two procedures.

Onset of depression post-surgery

This may sound counterintuitive, but weight loss surgery can actually mean an increase in depression. According to a research from Yale University, volunteers reported a higher amount of depression on the Beck Depression Inventory. The parameters on which this was judged are self-esteem, eating patterns and social functioning. More importantly, feelings of depression continued for more than 12 months after the surgery.

Excess skin complications

The loss of weight after the surgery occurs gradually. The skin should give enough time to adjust. However, in some cases, you may have to undergo a corrective cosmetic surgery. This is expensive, especially because you have just broken the bank to get bariatric surgery itself. There are different opinions on whether this surgery is covered by insurance.

Safer alternatives

Surgery is often prescribed for those that have diabetes or are prone to it. For people who cannot exercise, alternative slimming treatment methods would be a safer and more effective option. Traditional Chinese Medicineworks by restoring bodily harmony and eliminating sleep and stress related problems. It is a holistic method that combines acupressure, massage, cupping, and other techniques. It also helps increase the body’s metabolism and helps keep lifestyle diseases at bay.

How important is sleep for weight loss?

If you are following a weight loss program or visiting a slimming centre but still not getting the desired results, you must be doing something wrong. Before you blame it on your poor diet or lack of exercise, ask yourself whether you are having enough sleep every night. Often, we underestimate the importance of a good night’s sleep for weight loss. A chronic sleep debt can undo all the positive results from hours of exercising and days of healthy dieting. Here is how adequate sleep helps you to lose weight.

Balances hormone levels

Leptin and Ghrelin are two hormones responsible for your appetite. While Leptin helps suppress your appetite, Ghrelin enhances it. When you do not get enough sleep, your body produces less Leptin and more Gherlin. As a result, you may end up eating more resulting to a weight gain . The only way to restore the hormonal balance is by getting adequate amount sleep every night.

Improves metabolism

Lack of sleep may boost the cortisol levels in your blood, which may affect your metabolism. Cortisol turns protein into glucose. With excessive glucose stored in your body, you may gain fat. Cortisol also affects your ability to develop muscles. If you want lower Cortisol levels in your blood naturally, you need to sleep well.

Expedites growth and recovery

Your body produces growth hormones when you sleep. Growth hormones help speed up the process of growth. You start to grow stronger. If you get any muscle injury during exercise, you can recover faster during sleep. Taking rest allows your body to heal, grow, regenerate, and lose weight.

How to improve your sleep

If you have a very busy schedule, you may not get enough sleep despite your best efforts. You know that sleep is important, but it is easier said than done. So here are some useful tips.

• Make a schedule – Depending on your work hours, you may want to go to bed a little late. That’s okay, as long as you complete your eight hours of sleep every night. If you plan to go to bed at 11 pm, set your morning alarm at 7 am. If you get to bed at 12 am, you should wake up at 8 am. Make your own schedule and stick to it – no matter what.
• Restrict the entry of electronic items to your bedroom – Watching TV or using mobile phones before sleep may distract you easily. Instead, you can read a book or write something. That is a great way to ensure going to bed on time every night.
• Avoid procrastination – Procrastination is a bigger problem than you can even imagine. Many people fail to follow a schedule due to procrastination. They don’t start working until it’s too late. This can cause you to miss deadlines and extend your work hours, which would eventually affect your sleep time. You should address this issue very seriously. If required, seek advice from a good counsellor.

In some cases, lacking of sleep could be a medical symptom. If you find difficulty having a good night’s sleep despite your best efforts, consider seeing a doctor. Sleep well and visit a slimming centre to speed up your weight loss.

How to lose weight with traditional chinese medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine dates back thousands of years. It works with a number of techniques like cupping, acupressure, Guasa and acupuncture. The principle of TCM revolves around strategic eating, massaging, diet, and body movement like going for walks. A holistic science, TCM slimming focuses more on the body’s energy balance than on mere calorie deficit. It diagnoses weight gain as the ‘deficiency of qi.’ If you want to lose weight with TCM, consider visiting a TCM slimming centre. There are a number of ways to lose weight, using TCM. Here’s a look.

Respect the body clock

Healthy habits are of the utmost importance in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Get up early and have a healthy breakfast early in the day. From seven to nine in the morning is believed to be the best time for digestion. The lunch should be moderate in amount, and the dinner even lighter.

Restore your Qi

Qi is the basis of a healthy body, in Chinese philosophy. However, constantly changing one’s dietary regime can stagnate the Qi, and lead to ‘dampness’, characterised by sluggishness, cravings, bloating, and even gas. Whole foods, fruits, and vegetables complement the Qi. Avoid drinking cold beverages. Visit a good slimming centre to determine the Qi harmony of your body.

Drink the right amount of water

Drinking enough water is an indispensable part of almost every weight loss program. Traditional Chinese Medicine advises drinking sufficient water as well. Warm water early in the morning, can help flush out toxins and clear the bowels. This is necessary to kick-start metabolism. However, avoid drinking too much water.

Use acupressure

Certain points on the human body, when pressed in the right manner, can suppress appetite. One such point is located near the ear canals of both of your ears. Simply pinch this area intermittently for about a minute, 15 minutes before a meal. This helps prevent overeating, especially if you are feeling a little too hungry.

Visit a good Chinese medicine slimming centre

It is better to figure out your weight loss program using Traditional Chinese Medicine at a slimming centre. TCM experts can guide you on diet management and exercise. You will benefit from special therapies like Guasha and cupping. TCM treatment can readjust the constitution of the body, and help prevent/control lifestyle diseases.

Get enough sleep

The TCM system believes that our bodies detoxify around 11 in the night. Sleeping late can have a negative impact on the detoxification process.

Replace coffee with tea

TCM slimming believes that coffee aggravates dampness and is phlegmatic. Instead, tea should be taken. Tea supports weight loss, prevents stagnant bowels, and keeps the Qi intact. Oolong tea is a popular alternative for weight loss.

Do not fill yourself while eating

Traditional Chinese Medicine recommends incorporating bitter foods in one’s diet. Bitter foods make it difficult to overeat and help to feel full. Do not eat too fast or while watching TV or using your phone. It is important to fully enjoy your food and feel satisfied without overeating. It is ideal to eat for about only 80% of your appetite