Obesity is a global pandemic affecting a large chunk of the population worldwide. It is a significant cause of many life-threatening diseases like heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
The condition can lead to colon cancer, breast cancer, and even pancreatic cancer. Moreover, obesity damages a person’s quality of life and triggers depression. All these reasons drive overweight individuals to look at weight-loss surgeries to lose extra kilos. Some follow a strict diet to lose weight while others take up the surgery options.
Some of the most popular weight-loss surgeries are bariatric surgery and lap band surgery. Bariatric surgery is gastric bypass which works in your digestive system. In lap band surgery procedure, a silicon band is placed around the upper part of your stomach. A balloon is located inside of this band. During the lap band fills, a needle is inserted into the port and saline is induced through it. So which surgery you opt for should be determined based on the weight loss requirements. This article deals with weight loss surgery requirements and other aspects as well.
Weight Loss Surgery Requirements
Weight loss surgery helps to extreme obese individuals in losing weight. This procedure is for individuals who are not able to lose weight through exercise and diet or have serious medical problems caused by obesity.
A thorough evaluation is needed if you are considering the option of weight loss surgery. These surgeries are significant life-altering procedures.
Some requirements to qualify for safe and successful weight-loss surgery are
- If you are not able to shed extra weight with exercise and diet.
- If your BMI is 40 or higher, then you may consider weight-loss surgery.
- If you are suffering from life-threatening medical problems like diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure or heart disease and a 35 or higher BMI.
- Having severe weight-related health problems and BMI of 30-34 also qualifies you for certain types of weight-loss surgery.
Other Factors To Consider Rather Than BMI
BMI is essential but not the only factor which determines whether there is a need for weight loss surgery. Some exceptions are:
- Bariatric surgery is usually safe for individuals of 18 to 65 age. If your age is more than 65 or less than 18, there is a higher risk of surgical complications.
- There is an alarming number of children who are obese, but BMI calculator cannot be used to check a child. A proper pediatrician consultation is essential.
- Bodybuilders usually have higher BMI Because muscle weighs more than fat. So, the BMI index is not considered for them.
Are You The Right Candidate For Weight Loss Surgery?
Even if you meet all the requirements, more evaluation is done before surgery is recommended. Only BMI cannot calculate your health risk, but according to experts, a BMI greater than 30 is unhealthy.
Doctors use a few different methods to establish whether an individual is overweight. Some doctors might also consider your waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio. Many medical problems also influence your health. Being overweight can affect your heart and pave the way for serious health problems.
But the weight loss surgery isn’t right for everyone. These procedures sometimes have complications and risks. There should be a proper discussion between doctors and patients to understand the requirements of the surgery. Patients must commit to permanent lifestyle changes. The commitment includes changing your eating and exercising habits to ensure long term success of the surgery. Out of two options Bariatric and lap band surgery, you can choose anyone based on what your doctor recommends.
What Is Bariatric Surgery?
If you and your doctor think that weight loss or bariatric surgery is right for you, then let’s understand the process. Bariatric or weight loss surgery restricts the amount of food intake. It also reduces the absorption of nutrients in the body.
In a restrictive surgery, a doctor reduces the size of the stomach. After restrictive surgery, an obese individual will lose weight by eating less and feeling full faster.
Most popular bariatric surgery practices are
- Gastric bypass is the most common and popular procedure used worldwide. This procedure involves the re-routing of the digestive system to promote fullness and suppress hunger.
- In the sleeve gastrectomy surgery, a smaller stomach pouch is created by removing almost 80% of the stomach. This procedure reduces food intake.
- In the gastric band process, an inflatable band is placed around the top part of the stomach. It also creates a smaller stomach pouch, reducing food intake and weight loss
The recovery time of weight loss surgeries varies from patient to patient. Patients will have to follow a supervised regimen before resuming normal daily activities. Even after a successful recovery, patients will have to follow regular consultations and lifestyle.
What Is Lap Band Surgery?
In Lap-Band Surgery, a silicon band is placed inside the stomach in which inside a balloon is placed. This Band and balloon restrict the opening of the stomach. So you can eat only a certain level per sitting. As this restriction applies to the quantity of the food you intake, you can easily lose weight faster than you think.
Pre-Surgery Requirements
If you’re approved for weight loss surgery, your doctor helps you to prepare weeks or months before the surgery. Pre-surgery requirements include:
- Diet restrictions – restrictions on eating and drinking habits and patterns.
- Lifestyle counseling
- Quitting smoking
- Starting a supervised physical activity regimen.
If you don’t fulfill these requirements, then the surgery can be delayed or canceled.
To Sum It Up
Although many weight-loss surgical procedures are available, there is no better way of losing weight than following a healthy diet and regular exercise. However, if the patient is not able to lose weight by standard methods then he/she can consider weight loss surgery. Some things should be kept in mind before undergoing the procedure.
- Doctors must speak to their patients about the threat obesity represents and the available surgery options.
- Doctors should analyze and inform the patients whether the procedure is right for them. Patients should be aware of the risks associated with bariatric surgery and Lap Band Surgery.
- Weight loss surgery is a significant decision, and patients need time to consider it and explore their options.
- Doctors should inform the patients that waiting too long will impact the surgery benefits.
Hope you are now clear with the weight loss surgery requirements. If you have any questions about your weight loss surgery ask your physician and get clear before you commit anything.
