ARGUMENT 2: It causes permanent changes of patients’ lifestyle
Many people thought that their life will change after undergoing a bariatric surgery. Although it is true, unfortunately, the changes are unpleasant and permanent. Adolescents have to face an array of lifestyle modifications that are not only severe but radical as well. Because of their immaturity, this often leads to psychological, emotional, and social problems.
One thing that is going to change is dietary habit. Because the stomach is smaller, patients have to eat in smaller portions. While this is a change that one could hope for, it is very difficult to deal with, and they are having a hard time to adjust to their new dietary routine. If they eat more than their new stomach can handle, they will vomit (Lee, 2009). On the other hand, Benson-Davies and Quingley (2008) reported a case study on a woman who “suffered from severe food aversions that inhibited a normal eating progression from liquids to solid food following surgery” (p. 357). Seven weeks following the surgery, she still took liquid-form foods without protein from meat sources or supplements. The reason she stated was “phobia of food textures and taste alterations” (p358).
Besides dietary changes, patients also have to be prepared for changes in their emotion and psychology. Many of them cannot cope with the loss of food and become depressed. Roker (2004) reported about a teenager who underwent bariatric surgery, hoping that it is the solution to her overweight problem. However, she was unprepared emotionally for post-surgical dietary regime. She felt as though she has lost her best friend and a few months following her surgery, she was depressed. Other patients were gone through addiction transfer, where they shift the addiction with food into something else, like shopping and alcohol (Fry, 2008).
Furthermore, patients are tied to a lifelong commitment to a hospital for post-operative care. They need to be assessed whether there is any medical problem or presence of complication from the surgery. According to Warman (2005), “adolescents’ follow up visits are scheduled after discharge at one week, four weeks, three months, then every three months, with laboratory evaluation every six months, until weight loss is stabilized (usually one to one and a half year after surgery), then twice per year” (p. 283).
Apart from that, they need to take a lifetime nutritional supplementation and be closely monitored for vitamin and mineral deficiencies (August et al, 2008). This can be quite challenging as adolescents often do not listen to advices and recommendations. Xanthakos and Inge (2006) stated that less than 15% of 34 adolescents who underwent gastric bypass took the recommended supplements.
Because of permanent changes following bariatric surgery, one should really think before opting to surgery and be prepared for these consequences. Saunders (2009) reasoned that “it is hard enough to ask adults to tackle these issues, but a lot of people are asking whether or not this a burden that we should be putting on teenagers.”
Many people thought that their life will change after undergoing a bariatric surgery. Although it is true, unfortunately, the changes are unpleasant and permanent. Adolescents have to face an array of lifestyle modifications that are not only severe but radical as well. Because of their immaturity, this often leads to psychological, emotional, and social problems.
One thing that is going to change is dietary habit. Because the stomach is smaller, patients have to eat in smaller portions. While this is a change that one could hope for, it is very difficult to deal with, and they are having a hard time to adjust to their new dietary routine. If they eat more than their new stomach can handle, they will vomit (Lee, 2009). On the other hand, Benson-Davies and Quingley (2008) reported a case study on a woman who “suffered from severe food aversions that inhibited a normal eating progression from liquids to solid food following surgery” (p. 357). Seven weeks following the surgery, she still took liquid-form foods without protein from meat sources or supplements. The reason she stated was “phobia of food textures and taste alterations” (p358).
Besides dietary changes, patients also have to be prepared for changes in their emotion and psychology. Many of them cannot cope with the loss of food and become depressed. Roker (2004) reported about a teenager who underwent bariatric surgery, hoping that it is the solution to her overweight problem. However, she was unprepared emotionally for post-surgical dietary regime. She felt as though she has lost her best friend and a few months following her surgery, she was depressed. Other patients were gone through addiction transfer, where they shift the addiction with food into something else, like shopping and alcohol (Fry, 2008).
Furthermore, patients are tied to a lifelong commitment to a hospital for post-operative care. They need to be assessed whether there is any medical problem or presence of complication from the surgery. According to Warman (2005), “adolescents’ follow up visits are scheduled after discharge at one week, four weeks, three months, then every three months, with laboratory evaluation every six months, until weight loss is stabilized (usually one to one and a half year after surgery), then twice per year” (p. 283).
Apart from that, they need to take a lifetime nutritional supplementation and be closely monitored for vitamin and mineral deficiencies (August et al, 2008). This can be quite challenging as adolescents often do not listen to advices and recommendations. Xanthakos and Inge (2006) stated that less than 15% of 34 adolescents who underwent gastric bypass took the recommended supplements.
Because of permanent changes following bariatric surgery, one should really think before opting to surgery and be prepared for these consequences. Saunders (2009) reasoned that “it is hard enough to ask adults to tackle these issues, but a lot of people are asking whether or not this a burden that we should be putting on teenagers.”
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