Hypertension or high blood pressure is a medical disorder that is characterized by the presence of persistently elevated blood pressure in the arteries. Blood pressure is the measurement of the force of the blood pumped by the heart on the walls of the arteries. The normal level of blood pressure is represented as the reading of 120/80 mmHg, where 120 is the systolic pressure (highest pressure in the arteries) and 80 is the diastolic pressure (lowest pressure in the arteries). A blood pressure reading between 120/80 and 139/89 is referred to as prehypertension. A blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg or above is referred to as hypertension. There are two types of hypertension: essential (without any cause) and secondary (has a direct cause such as kidney disease and birth control pills). High blood pressure can be present for many years without causing any symptoms. Uncontrolled hypertension increases the risk of developing serious medical disorders such as heart attack and stroke.

Clear Liquid Diet

Phase I – Liquid Diet Guidelines after your operation

You will be on this phase for at least 2 weeks after your surgery. You will feel full from liquids and may not meet your fluid goals the first few days. During this phase you must consume liquid only and avoid all solid foods. Your primary source of energy and protein will be protein shakes.

Preparation

Pre-operative testing and medical clearance

The pace of life in New York can be very hectic. Try to remember that your decision for surgery reflects the fact that you have decided to take a proactive step to fix a health problem. Do not be shy about asking for help from your family and loved ones.

What are the long-term benefits of bariatric surgery?

Studies show that bariatric surgery can effectively improve and resolve many weight-related health conditions. A review of more that 22,000 bariatric surgery patients showed: Improvement in or complete resolution of conditions including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea and 61.2% reduction of excess weight.

Stage I – Post-Op and the Hospital Diet

At this time, Dr. Belsley and the hospital team will be monitoring your progress by seeing how well you tolerate low-sugar, non-carbonated liquids such as water, tea, and broth. Sugar-free gelatin is another option. Use a cup to drink and avoid sipping from a bottle or straw.

Cholesterol and Obesity

Cholesterol is a lipid, or type of fat produced by the liver and derived from various dietary sources. Although often referred to in negative terms, cholesterol plays an essential part in many processes within the body, including formation of cell membranes and nerve linings and in the manufacture of bile acids, fat-soluble vitamins and certain hormones. However, high cholesterol or hypercholesterolemia is strongly associated with significant health issues including heart disease and stroke.

Pregnancy After Bariatric Surgery

There are various recommendations regarding the timing of planned pregnancy after weight loss surgery which are based on a theoretical understanding of what occurs after the operation. A truly controlled scientific study evaluating the risk and benefit of pregnancy after surgical weight loss is difficult to design. We employ a common sense approach based on surgical literature as well as an understanding of the changes that occur after surgical operations for weight loss.

Weight Loss

Bariatric surgery requires a change in the way that you think about food, dieting and exercise. Although there are definite physiological changes that occur after surgery and that will help you lose weight, it is important that you realize the need to change your environment and some of your previous lifestyle choices. Although the operations change the way in which your body processes food, some of these changes are only temporary. It is important that you start life-affirming habits that will help you succeed.