So, here are a few of those success principles we look at to ascertain the degree of success, or lack thereof, when evaluating a patient post operatively.
1. Weight Loss of approximately 60-80% of Excess Body Weight, generally achieved one year after a Bypass or Sleeve, and 2 years after the Gastric Band.
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| Photo by M Clock |
2.
Maintenance
of that weight loss to
a reasonable proximity, years after surgery.
3.
Resolution
of CoMorbidities,
such as DM2, which may occur independent of the weight loss component
of aforementioned success principles. The improvement /
resolution of other disease states (HTN, Lipids, OSA, Chronic Pain /
Arthritis, PCOS / Infertility, etc) usually includes great financial
benefit, as well as #4 Quality of Life benefit, below.
4.
Quality
of Life is
still a central, and somewhat less-precisely measured, point on the
Success curve. It likely is not as definable an endpoint as the
others may be, but again, query a patient on how their life has
changed in the context of where they are currently reside on their
weight loss journey after surgery. These are usually very personal,
and emotion-laden mile posts on that journey, and carry much more
impact for most folks than a 'goal weight', even if achieved, can
ever give, such as these:
*Fitting
in a chair on an airplane comfortably for the first time.
*Being
able to see my shoes to tie them.
*Being
recognized at a store as a 'true customer' at Walmart, as I shopped
for clothes I actually fit in.
*Going
to see a movie with a friend for the first time since childhood.
*Making
my daughter angry that I could wear her clothes!
*Being
able to play on the floor with my Grandchildren comfortably.
*Knowing
that I am modeling to my kids the priority of good health, and
hopefully prevent their need for surgery someday.
...And
the list goes on and on...
So,
you can see 'It's not (all) about the weight', but it really is, in a
way.
I
guess the point is this. It's not as easy /simple as a "100
#" weight loss, and from the patient's side, it's not as hard as
that in order to get benefit from such a drastic thing as surgery for
being overweight.
And, also, one
thing we stress to our patients is that once the surgery is done, the
journey to better health is really just beginning. However,
keep in mind, there are many scenic vistas along the way before
the patient, and their health care providers, consider them arriving
at success!
It's as easy as:
Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get.
- Dale Carnegie
Or as complicated as:
If your success is not on your own terms, if it looks good to the world but does not feel good in your heart, it is not success at all.
-Anna Quindlen
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