Avoiding Gastric Band Surgery

Gastric band surgery should be seen as a last resort for people wishing to lose weight. It is supposed to be only given after diets have been shown to not work. However it is seen as an easy option, and one that removes the need to worry about what you eat. The operation however still requires careful diet, small portions and has huge consequences as it is major surgery.

There are very few people who would not lose weight by sticking to a careful diet. Weighing out food writing it down and even being monitored should be the first stage approach before people even think about this surgery option. The band restricts how much you can eat at once. The idea then being you feel full quicker and you will lose weight as you eat less. This will not take away the urge to eat more, to eat bad food such as that is full of fat and salt. The desire to eat junk food, binge on cakes and chocolate, scoff chips, drink excessive amounts of alcohol and generally over eat is not removed by this operation.

The reasons people overeat need addressing before this operation should be allowed. If the diet fails, then it fails for a reason. This reason needs to be discovered as it may hold the key to weight loss for person. If you eat because you are an unhappy, then a gastric band will not solve your problem, it may make you feel worse as you can now on no longer usual escape route of overeating to make yourself feel better.

There have also been a large number of complications following the operation in private clinics. This would concern me, if I was considering the operation. Not meeting requirements for the operation on the NHS, would make me want to try alternatives before paying her a potentially dangerous operation.

Failing on a diet is very common. Dieting is very hard work. Overeating is very easy and it is very easy to eat the wrong foods. Without a great deal of willpower most dieters will fail at some point during their weight loss program. It takes courage to keep going and a lot of effort. Looking for an easy way out often leads people to look at the gastric band surgery. It is not the answer for most people though, and a careful review of eating and eating habits should be undertaken.

If you are worried about your weight, or wish to go on a diet, then you should consult your doctor first. Your GP will offer you practical advice, perhaps even a diet sheet as well as the support you need. But that there is a need for GPs to run weight loss clinics at their surgeries, is something that needs addressing soon.

Perhaps the NHS should look at setting up weight loss groups that are free of charge to use. This might be a better use of resources than gastric band surgery for many people.