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Considering Obesity Surgery?
It is estimated that more than 10 million Americans suffer from severe obesity. For these people, weight management is much more than carrying a few extra pounds. It can be a matter of life and death.
Many have struggled with weight loss for years trying various diets, medications and professional weight loss services without long-term success. For these individuals, bariatric surgery may successfully produce the long-term weight loss you are looking for.
Is Bariatric Surgery For You?
To qualify for gastric bypass
surgery, you must meet the following criteria
100 pounds over ideal weight or a BMI of more than 40, with or without co-morbid conditions.
A BMI between 35 and 40 may also qualify with associated co-morbid conditions, such as cardiopulmonary problems, severe sleep apnea, heart disease or diabetes.
Previous weight loss efforts including medically supervised diet plans, exercise and behavioral modification programs have been unsuccessful.
Understand and be committed to the behavioral changes that will be required after surgery.
Before deciding whether or
not you are a candidate for bariatric surgery, your doctor will conduct a comprehensive medical evaluation that may include blood tests, EKG, chest x-ray, pulmonary function test, upper gastrointestinal x-ray, gall bladder ultrasound and/or a psychiatric evaluation.
You may not qualify for surgery if you have pre-existing conditions, such as alcoholism, hepatic cirrhosis with impaired liver functions, serious psychiatric disability and/or correctable hormonal causes of obesity.
What Results Can You Expect?
Weight loss surgery has given many individuals a new lease on life. The amount of weight you lose will depend on the type of surgical procedure you have done and how committed you are to the required lifestyle changes, including exercise and eating habits. Your age, sex and initial weight at the time of surgery may also affect surgical outcomes.
Results vary, but the average
patient can expect to lose 50-90% of their excess weight 12-18 months after surgery.
Even if the ideal weight is not reached, co-morbid medical problems are improved in most cases. Many patients find they no longer need medication for diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, arthritis and back pain. Most patients report an increase in self-esteem and self-confidence and an improvement in their overall quality of life.
