Weight Loss Surgery May Be Right for You!
The good news is that there is help for these individuals through bariatric weight loss procedures. Over the years, numerous bariatric weight-loss methods have emerged, offering various surgical and non-surgical choices to patients. Regrettably, the percentage of individuals undergoing bariatric surgery remains remarkably low. Additionally, the procedure is chosen by a mere 1-2% of potential candidates.
Experts are not sure if this is due to a lack of knowledge that such procedures exist, or if these patients do not know if surgery is the right answer for them.
So, how do you qualify for a weight loss surgery? Are there certain bariatric surgery requirements? Keep reading to learn more.
What Is Bariatric Surgery?
People also know bariatric surgery as weight loss surgery and there are several different procedures to choose from today. These procedures all help patients lose weight by limiting the amount of food they can eat, and some procedures also prevent the body from absorbing all the calories that they ingest, resulting in significant weight loss.
All of the surgical procedures available change the shape of the stomach and the function of the digestive system. These procedures include gastric bypass, mini-gastric bypass, duodenal switch, gastric lap band, and gastric sleeve surgery.
How to Qualify for Bariatric Surgery?
There is a pre-qualification process before a patient can undergo weight loss surgery, but it may surprise you. Many people ask, “How much do you have to weigh to get bariatric surgery?”. It is not so much about the actual number on the scale but the patient’s body mass index or BMI.
Your body mass index is determined through a calculation using your height, current weight, and gender. If you do not know what your BMI is you can check it now using our BMI calculator!
BMI for Bariatric Surgery
To qualify for weight loss surgery, patients must have a BMI of 40+ or 35+ and also health-related conditions caused by their weight.
Weight-related health conditions may include type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, hypertension, increased risk for heart disease, stroke, and more.
Further Qualifications for Bariatric Surgery
After a patient has established that their BMI is within the qualifying range, it is time to move on to the evaluation by a team of experts. This team will most likely include your doctor, a bariatric surgeon, and possibly, other specialists. This team is assembled to ensure your safety and wellbeing during the entire process.
Weight loss surgery doesn’t just help patients lose weight, it also alleviates and sometimes cures other conditions. Doctors will need to monitor and adjust the medications of many patients who have health conditions associated with their weight as they progress in their weight loss.
For example, a patient with high blood pressure (before losing weight) may require a certain dosage of daily medication. During the weight loss process, the dosage may need to be adjusted and may eventually result in the patient no longer needing the medication at all.
A team of experts will put in place a treatment plan that includes dietary guidelines, an exercise program, and possibly, a therapist to help patients succeed. Weight loss is only a small portion of the plan. Patients will need to be willing to cooperate and follow a long-term plan to qualify and achieve success through bariatric surgery.
Can You Be Denied for The Surgery?
Yes, it is possible to be denied; even though you may meet the BMI qualifications for bariatric surgery, you may still be deemed ineligible under certain circumstances.
To determine if you are an eligible candidate for bariatric surgery, a team of experts will carefully evaluate various factors. These factors include your weight history, eating habits, stress levels, previous dieting attempts, overall health, and history of blood clots or heart problems. Moreover, they will also consider your mental health conditions, including any history of eating disorders.
If you are approved for the surgery, there may be a delay if you are not medically prepared or have not followed the pre-surgery dietary requirements. Furthermore, experts may determine that you are not psychologically ready to handle the necessary commitment after the surgery.
What Are My Options if I Don’t Qualify for Bariatric Surgery?
You may be eligible for a non-surgical weight loss procedure, such as Obalon Balloon, Orbera Balloon or endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG). All of these options are non-surgical, do not require any incisions, a hospital stay or long recovery times.
Video: Life after Bariatric Surgery (IBI Healthcare Institute’s Patient Testimonial)
How Much Weight Do You Have to Lose before Surgery?
There is not usually a magic weight loss number you must reach before you undergo bariatric surgery. Normally, the dietary restrictions required before bariatric surgery ensure your safety during the surgical procedure.
To access the digestive system, surgeons must navigate around the enlarged liver typically found in higher weight individuals. Implementing dietary restrictions prior to surgery aids in reducing liver size. Additionally, it assists in acclimating the body to smaller portions or a liquid diet.
Before making the weight loss surgery decision, it’s crucial to understand the process from start to finish. It’s essential to assess your commitment and motivation to achieve and sustain weight loss success. Self-reflection is the initial step towards a transformative journey.
Weight loss surgery lowers all-cause mortality risk by over 40% in higher-weight individuals, as per a large scientific study. Consider those significant statistics carefully when thinking about the choices you have to make.
If you are ready to make a commitment to yourself, take the first step and schedule a consultation with IBI Healthcare Institute. We are here to help you with your entire weight loss journey.
