Is Weight Loss Surgery Right for You?

Being obese can have significant effects on your life, including health problems, difficulty doing activities you love, relationship problems, and poor self-image. And with more than one in three adults being considered obese, obesity is a problem many people face. Bariatric procedures, like stomach reduction surgery, are often a good choice for people who have weight problems. But weight loss procedures may not be right for everyone — this article will provide a brief overview of who may qualify for bariatric surgery and highlight common procedure options.

Who is a Candidate for Bariatric Surgery?

It’s important to remember that having a procedure like a stomach reduction surgery isn’t a magical fix. When one has weight loss surgery, there are strict requirements regarding diet and physical activity that are needed to assure the procedure is successful. With the right mindset and dedication, weight loss surgery can be a step in the right direction.

Generally, weight loss surgery is an option for individuals with a high body mass index (BMI). A BMI of around 25 to 30 or higher is considered overweight. However, weight isn’t the only deciding factor. Surgeons typically like to ensure that all other options have been explored: dieting, exercise routines, and other plans should all be considered before choosing surgery. But if someone has exhausted all other options, is still not losing weight, and is suffering health consequences of being obese, then it may be time to start considering weight loss surgery.

Choosing Between Weight Loss Surgery Options

There is a variety of options when it comes to weight loss surgery. The more common options are a gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy. With gastric bypass surgery, there is a small part of the stomach that is left in place, only allowing the person to eat a small amount of food at any given time. The food then passes by the stomach right to the small intestine. A gastric sleeve removes most of the stomach, leaving behind the upper part to limit how much food can be consumed.

Stomach reduction surgery candidates need to discuss all of their options with their surgeon and decide which procedure will give them the best results for their specific situation.