Is Weight Loss Surgery Right for You? Candidacy & Procedures
Weight loss surgery is a means to help morbidly obese people lose weight, when all else (diet and exercise) have failed to produce the life-changing loss of weight. The most often performed weight loss surgery types are:
- Lap band procedure
- Gastric bypass
- Gastric sleeve
- Revisional surgery
What makes bariatric surgery an extraordinary tool in the hands of a knowledgeable surgeon is its potential for dramatic weight loss altogether with the relieving benefits of health improvement and a switch to a better quality of life. Bariatric surgery though is not for everyone. First of all, it takes will power and commitment to life-long lifestyles changes after surgery. Secondly, certain medical conditions might impede weight loss surgery eligibility. Only a qualified bariatric surgeon is to tell whether an individual case is to be considered for weight loss surgery and if yes, which exact type of surgery is to be performed.
General admission criteria for bariatric surgery include:- BMI over 40. BMI (body mass index) is a useful tool, a health indicator often used to classify weight categories. People with BMI over 40 are considered morbidly obese and they are recommended to undergo bariatric surgery. Exceptions from the rule are people with BMI over 35 (and in some cases even over 30) who suffer from one or more obesity-related co-morbidities. The procedure most commonly performed for low BMI (30 and up) is lap band procedure.
- Age over 18. According to statistics, over one third of the adult population of the U.S. suffers from morbid obesity, so this criterion is met by a great number of people. Children are considered for bariatric surgery in isolated, extreme cases only.
- Failure of the traditional weight loss methods. Weight loss surgery is of great help, but as it is surgery, it must come only when nothing else helps.
- No serious health conditions that could cause complications during or after bariatric surgery.
- Accurate and reliable information on the chose weight loss surgery's advantages and disadvantages.
The above criteria serve only as a general guide. Each case is different and requires a different approach. If you believe you are a weight loss surgery candidate, consult a bariatric surgeon to be guided to the procedure most suited to your individual needs and necessities.
Dr. Thomas E. Lavin performs minimally invasive weight loss surgery with SSL, Surgical Specialists of Louisiana.
