WEIGHT-LOSS SURGERY: IS IT AN OPTION?
If you have been struggling to lose weight, a surgical or non-surgical procedure may be the right choice for you. Studies show that very few people can lose weight and keep it off long-term.
If you have problems from the effects that obesity can cause, such as:
Obesity health problem
Food addiction
Depression
Out of steam quickly.
Discrimination of obesity
Relationship problems
Poor self-image
The diet and exercise programs were unsuccessful.
Surgery will most likely remove or improve each of these. But before we come together to find out if surgery is right for you, it's important to understand that bariatric surgery is not for everyone. Even if you fit the profile below, surgery is always the last resort treatment.
If you and your specialists decide it makes sense to move forward, be prepared to do A LOT of work both before surgery and for the rest of your life. Bariatric surgery should be considered one of the safest and most effective tools available, but you must be ready to change your life completely to be successful.
Recommendations for weight loss surgery use NIH guidelines published in the 1990s. These guidelines use your Body Mass Index (BMI) and your medical history to determine your eligibility. Although final recommendations can only be made after speaking with a weight loss surgeon, the general guidelines for being a candidate for a bariatric procedure are:
Weight Loss Balloon
If you are an adult with a BMI between 30 – 40, you may be a candidate for a weight loss balloon.
Weight Loss Surgery
Generally, bariatric surgeries like the Lap-Band, sleeve gastrectomy, and gastric bypass are offered to patients with a BMI over 40, with no related health conditions. Patients with a BMI over 35 combined with at least one comorbidity (sleep apnea, high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease) are also candidates for weight loss surgery.
Body mass index from 30 to 35 may be accepted if certain health issues are present.
Revisional Weight Loss Surgery
Like with any medical condition, sometimes a single treatment is not enough. If you have regained weight after previous bariatric surgery or the intragastric balloon, you may be a candidate for a revisional procedure. Contact us if you are concerned about the weight you have regained.
How to know if you're ready for surgery
If you're considering weight-loss surgery, you'll meet with a health care team that may include the following:
• Surgeon
• Endoscopist
• Anesthesiologist
• Dietitian
• Nurse specializing in weight management
• Psychologist or psychiatrist
• Other specialists depending on your medical conditions: Cardiologist, Pulmonologist, Enterologist, Endocrinologist…
Members of your team will explain what to expect before and after the procedure. They will evaluate whether you're ready for surgery and help you decide if it's an option for you. They may identify concerns to address — medical, behavioral, or psychological — before you're ready for surgery.
Jan 13, 2021
HUNG M. DO, MD, Ph.D