Before You Choose Bariatric Surgery

credit foto: fudiet.com

At this time, Obesity and related complications are a serious threat to the health and happiness of many people worldwide. For some of these people, bariatric surgery-a broad term that covers several types of weight-loss surgery can be an effective way to improve health.

While bariatric surgery risks just as low as the risk of gallbladder surgery, it is still important to determine who will benefit from the operation and make sure they are safe for surgery. Determine who is and who is not eligible usually follow a simple formula. However, exceptions, so be sure to ask your doctor or surgeon if bariatric surgery is right for you. As a general rule, before you opt for surgery, you should note the following.

1. Body Mass Index
A patient's body mass index, often referred to as BMI, is often what qualifies them for surgery. BMI is the ratio of your height to your weight. You can calculate your BMI using the chart below or use the BMI calculator online.

A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered a healthy weight. A BMI between 25 and 30 is considered overweight. A BMI greater than 30 is considered obese. A patient with a BMI greater than 35 may be candidates for bariatric surgery and patients with a BMI greater than 40 are almost always candidates for surgery.

If your BMI is greater than 30, you should consider losing weight to better your health and increase your energy and lifestyle. If your BMI is greater than 35, you should consider bariatric surgery and discuss this with your doctor or bariatric surgery.

This chart shows body mass index. Photo credit: The Utah Center for Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery

2. Comorbidity
There is a long list of health problems caused by obesity. Heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol; sleep apnea, arthritis and diabetes; thyroid disease, gall bladder and liver disease; depression, infertility and breast cancer; cervical cancer and other cancers as well. If you have any of the medical problems and your BMI is greater than 35, you are a candidate for surgery.

3. Difficulty Losing Weight
Most bariatric surgery patients have tried to lose weight on their own or with the help of a doctor, weight watchers or dietitian in the past. Unfortunately, this strategy does not work for everyone.

Most insurance companies want to see that the patient has tried to lose weight without surgery before they are eligible for surgery. If your BMI is greater than 35 and you have tried to lose weight in the past and it did not work, you may be a candidate for bariatric surgery. Talk to your doctor or surgeon to discuss your options.

4. General Qualifications
Even people who meet several general requirements for weight loss surgery should be given extensive evaluation before being accepted as surgical patients. This evaluation will assess the overall health of a person's physical, emotional wellbeing and general ability to undergo and recover from surgery.

The doctor will also evaluate the patient's level of commitment to a new life, a healthy lifestyle. This seems to be the usual precautions to reduce the risk associated with the operation and increase the likelihood of achieving long-term success.

Health problems associated with obesity threatens both the lives and lifestyles of thousands of Americans. For some, bariatric surgery can be an effective method to get a healthy lifestyle.

Before proceeding with weight loss surgery, however, it is important to ensure that the individual meets certain qualifications. Are they easily meet the criteria outlined above, individuals considering bariatric surgery as a means to change their lives should consult a weight loss surgery professionals to get expert evaluation. For suitable candidates, the evaluation is the first step in the journey of life-saving to the health and greater happiness. (source)