Just a few years ago, Sirpa Haapalahti weighed 190 kilograms. Now she is down to 116. When dieting alone did not produce results, Haapalahti turned to gastric bypass surgery to reduce her stomach size.
Following the surgery, patients can no longer consume copious amounts of food. They also become full faster and eat more slowly.
Directly after the surgery, Haapalahti was able to eat just two tablespoons of soup every 15 minutes. Now she can eat around 2.5 dl of food at a time. She also says food tastes differently. For instance, Haapalahti no longer stocks her shelves with potatoes, red meat or tuna fish.
Surgery Not a Shortcut
In an interview with YLE’s Morning TV, physician Timo Sane warned that surgery alone will not keep the kilos off. Weight reduction begins after surgery, but only if the patient makes the proper food choices.
”Most of the weight loss occurs in the first year. But if patients do not stick to a diet plan, they can regain the weight,” says Sane.
However the benefits of surgery can be life-altering. In addition to shedding dozens of kilos, Haapalahti says she no longer suffers from several illnesses including Type 2 diabetes.
