This guide will review two great options for extreme weight loss: bariatric surgery and weight loss pills.
Diet pills have been around for decades, but bariatric surgery is a comparatively recent innovation when it comes to extreme weight loss. Weight loss pills work in various ways depending on the active ingredient and chemical formulation. Improved surgery methods allow patients to shed numerous pounds in mere months by preventing significant caloric intake. Multiple surgical procedures are available to choose from, including reversible options that can be adjusted over time and complex procedures that change the way the entire digestive tract works. However, while pills are not usually as effective as surgery, the latter isn’t a practical option for everybody. This guide will compare and contrast these two methods in terms of their effectiveness for weight loss.
Safety of Weight Loss Pills
The safety of weight loss pills depends largely upon what type of pills are used. Weight loss pills often have a negative reputation because of various recalls that were issued in the 1980s. However, many of the weight loss pills that were recalled are no longer on the market. Most of the pills available today work at least partially through the use of organic supplements that naturally increase energy and promote a healthy metabolism. Remember, though, that it is important to consult your physician before using any diet pills, especially if you have any preexisting health conditions, such as heart defects. Some pills can increase the risk of heart problems, but others, such as Orlistat, can affect your gastrointestines resulting in side effects such as steatorrhea (loose stools) and fecal incontinence (involuntary bowel movements).
Safety of Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery is another term for weight loss surgery, and it has become one of the most popular options for extreme weight loss. Tens of thousands of Americans choose to undergo bariatric surgery each year. Fortunately, most weight loss surgical procedures are very safe, presenting about the same level of risk as any other form of routine surgery. Some of the possible risks include stomach ulcers and hernias, both of which can be treated through fairly routine procedures. Bariatric surgery is one of the more viable options if you need to achieve significant weight loss in a short period. However, patients who have had surgery need to be very careful about malnutrition and protein deficiencies. You can learn more in our guide to bariatric surgery risks and complications.
Long-Term Effectiveness
On average, people who go through bariatric surgery manage to lose over half their weight over the course of the next decade. This is impressive when compared to many other options. Weight loss pills offer more dubious long-term results, as extreme weight loss achieved through the use of pills may be difficult to maintain without actually taking the pills indefinitely. Prolonged or indefinite use of weight loss pills can be dangerous and is generally discouraged, making diet pills a safer option for short-term weight loss goals. On the other hand, surgery is generally much more beneficial for turning extreme results into a healthy lifestyle that is easy to maintain over time.
Time It Takes to Achieve Extreme Weight Loss
Bariatric surgery starts showing extreme results almost immediately after the procedure. After returning home, you will not be allowed to eat for a period of two days, and then you will be on an extremely restrictive post-bariatric surgery diet for several days to a week. Once you have partially recovered, the eating of normal foods may be resumed, but you will never be able to consume more than a single cup of food in each sitting. This makes weight loss surgery one of the most effective options if you want to see immediate results. Diet pills are also fast-acting, although the time it takes to see extreme results depends largely on the type of medication you choose to take. If you are severely obese, you may not get satisfying results with pills.
Innovation in Weight Loss
Innovation is one of the most important factors to consider when weighing the pros and cons of any weight loss option. Surgery methods have improved drastically in recent years, including various surgical innovations that have not only made the procedures safer and more effective but also improved recovery times. Laparoscopic surgery can reduce the recovery time from a few months to as little as five weeks. Meanwhile, the pharmaceutical industry has seen many recent innovations in the development of diet pills as well. While diet pills were once considered the domain of over-the-counter brands, more and more reputable pharmaceutical companies are developing new formulas that meet medically approved standards of safety and effectiveness. Patients can look forward to even safer and more effective forms of bariatric surgery and weight loss pills in the future, so both are incredibly viable weight loss options.
