Why you don’t need surgery to lose weight for good

How to shed the pounds and keep them off – without going under the knife

Surgery isn’t always the answer to weight loss problems. There are safer and more effective ways to lose weight and keep it off.

With over two thirds of British adults classed as overweight or obese, it’s safe to say that many of us struggle to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. And this is having a negative impact on our health – both physically, by increasing the risk of serious health conditions such as stroke, heart disease and type 2 diabetes, and mentally by decreasing self-confidence and raising the risk of mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.

However, losing the excess weight is not always as straightforward as it sounds, and with the majority of people failing to stick to a diet for longer than a week, it’s little wonder that a growing number of people are turning to more extreme measures.

Gastric band surgery

Many people who struggle to reach a healthy weight opt for gastric band surgery. This involves placing a silicone band around the top of the stomach to restrict the space. This reduces feelings of hunger, helping you to feel satisfied with smaller portions. As a result, your calorie intake is reduced, making it easier to lose weight. Gastric band surgery can offer really impressive results, however, it is not without its drawbacks.

As a major operation, having a gastric band fitted poses the same risk as any other surgery, including blood clots, infection, and of course the risks associated with going under general anaesthetic. This particular surgery can also come with a host unpleasant side effects and complications such as acid reflux, vomiting after eating, and even gallstones. And then there’s the cost. With the average gastric band cost coming in at around £7000, it’s certainly not a cheap option!

Luckily there are other weight loss methods out there that are kinder to your bank balance and offer visible and long-lasting results.

Regular exercise and a balanced diet

You may well be bored of hearing it, but there’s a reason why weight loss and nutrition experts recommend taking regular exercise and following a balanced diet – and that’s because it actually works.

Exercising regularly helps to speed up your metabolism, burn calories and build lean muscle, all of which help to give a significant boost to your weight loss efforts. For best results, exercise for at least 150 minutes a week and try to follow a routine that combines cardio, strength and stretching-based exercises.

Similarly, following a balanced diet that includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, wholegrains and lean protein, will help you to lose weight while also improving your overall health. But avoid strict calorie counting and totally depriving yourself of your favourite foods, as that will make you much more likely to fail. Instead opt for smaller portions, healthy choices and, of course, the odd treat.

Mind over matter

If you’re struggling to make the changes you need through diet and exercise alone, there is another option out there. Gastric band hypnosis combines hypnosis and visualisation techniques with counselling and talking therapies, in order to identify the root causes of your issues with food. The ultimate aim of the treatment is to change your approach to food and eating, and empower you to make long-term healthy changes to your lifestyle that will help you to keep the weight off for good.

When it comes to losing weight, there are lots of different methods out there, and the one that’s right for you will depend on a number of factors. But before you embark on any of them, be sure to seek advice from a medical professional who can give you the guidance you need to lose weight safely.