Weight loss surgery, sometimes called bariatric surgery, is a medically assisted weight loss treatment for people living with obesity. It makes the stomach smaller, so it feels fuller sooner and less food is eaten
The main types of weight loss surgery are gastric bypass, gastric band, gastric balloon and sleeve gastrectomy
Bariatric success requires lifestyle and diet changes to support the surgical tool a patient commits to and regular aftercare and follow up with a nutritionist, dietician and bariatric therapist / coach
Bariatric operations take pace in hospital, patients can usually go home 1 to 3 days after surgery. Recovery time is usually 4 to 6 weeks and weight loss takes place within the first two years, the majority happening within the initial 12 moths post-surgery
GLP-1 agonists are a class of medications to help manage blood sugar (glucose) levels in people with type 2 diabetes and treat obesity
These medications are most often injectable medications, meaning you inject a liquid medication with a needle and syringe
There are five GLP-1RAs available in the UK: dulaglutide, exenatide, liraglutide, lixisenatide, semaglutide, more commonly known my their branding names of: Ozempic, Saxenda, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zebound
GLP-1 directly activates POMC/CART neurons and indirectly inhibits, via GABAergic transmission, the neuropeptide Y/agouti-related peptide (NPY/AgRP) neurons. In layman’s terms it reduces the hunger signally which results in signals that reduce food intake
It’s recommended that patients stay on their GLP-1 medication for at least 12 weeks - but seeing meaningful results may take even longer
GLP-1 success requires lifestyle and diet changes to support the surgical tool a patient commits to and regular aftercare and follow up with a nutritionist, dietician and bariatric therapist / coach
The most common issues linked to medically assisted weight loss treatments are:
Possible side effects: feeling sick (nausea) and diarrhoea, stomach pains, constipation, having less appetite leading to malnutrition, low blood pressure, headaches, skin reactions, sagging skin, gall stones and dumping syndrome
Psychological challenges: mental health (anxiety, depression, OCD), disordered eating (emotional eating, stress eating, possible eating disorders), addiction transference (food addiction to alcohol, shopping, exercise, gambling etc)
Physical challenges: tiredness, loss of energy, loss of muscle mass, health issues (gall stones, malnutrition)
Social challenges: isolation, relationship breakdowns
Help people understand the process for each weight loss treatment option so the patient has accurate knowledge and understanding of the skills and tools they need to develop to achieve long term weight loss success
Help people improve their diet (and find new healthy foods you like and enjoy!) and develop exercise plans customised around their lifestyle needs to ensure people stay on track and meet their weight-loss goals
Coaching and therapy is key to reducing the risks associated with relapse, weight regain and long term stalls
Overcome dysfunctional relationships with food such as: emotional eating, binge eating, stress eating, disordered eating patterns which remain risks fir relapse and weight regain after medical interventions for weight loss
Overall, coaching and therapy helps people make positive changes for life, overcome the variety issues that someone living with obesity may have, as well as manage the psychological challenges that happen throughout a weight loss journey
Changing thoughts about food to help change eating behaviours and unhealthy habits