7 Signs You’re Ready for Bariatric Surgery

Millions of Americans struggle with their weight every day. While some are able to get a hold of the issue and maintain a healthy weight, others find it challenging at best. Obesity is becoming an epidemic in our country, and across the globe. It’s causing the increase of a host of medical issues, including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other issues.

Studies have shown that once a person is severely obese, diet and exercise alone are no longer entirely effective at shedding the weight and keeping it off for good. For many people struggling with obesity, bariatric surgery may be the key to their weight loss success.

Bariatric surgery is a highly effective procedure that involves restricting the size of the stomach so that the person isn’t able to eat as much as before. The less the person eats, the more weight he or she will lose. With this operation, the structure of the gut is actually changed so that the food eaten isn’t absorbed as much.

Of course, the choice to undergo bariatric surgery shouldn’t be made in haste. It should be carefully considered, with the pros and cons weighed with the help of an experienced surgeon.

If you’re having trouble losing weight, the following 7 signs may tell you that you’re ready for it.

1. You’re Severely Obese

People are considered obese if their BMI (Body Mass Index) is 40 kg/m2 or more. This index measures the ideal weight range that a person should be given their height. The normal range is considered anywhere between 18.5 - 24.9 kg/m2. The longer you allow the excess fat to remain on your body, the higher your chances of developing heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer.

2. You’ve Made a Solid Effort to Lose Weight on Your Own

If you’ve struggled for a long time trying to lose excess fat through diet and exercise, but just can’t seem to make your weight loss happen, bariatric surgery may be the right choice. As long as you’ve made an effort to lose the weight, you should consider other options. Sometimes it takes a little extra help to achieve a healthy weight.

3. You Suffer From Chronic Disease

If you already are suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea or heart disease, and your BMI falls between 30 to 39 kg/m2, bariatric surgery may be the right option. Obesity exasperates these types of conditions. Losing the weight through surgery might reduce or even cure the burden of your particular chronic disease. Patients are often able to lower the amount of medications they need to control their conditions, and even come off them completely.

4. You’re Motivated to Get Healthy

Surgery can definitely help you lose the weight you need to shed, but it only goes so far. You need to be emotionally vested in this journey, and be completely motivated to achieve optimal health. You’ll need to be committed to following the advice of your physicians closely in order to continue carrying out changes in your lifestyle. If you’re motivated to do this, you just might be ready for weight loss surgery.

5. You Don’t Have an Underlying Psychological Issue

Specific mental health conditions might contribute to obesity, and therefore make it more challenging to maintain the health benefits of weight loss surgery. These issues can include depression, substance abuse, and eating disorders.

6. You Have No Contraindications to Surgery

Certain medical conditions, such as blood clots, liver disease and ulcers may increase the risks associated with bariatric surgery. These conditions may also be worsened by the surgery. You’ll need to undergo various tests to make sure you are fit for the procedure.

7. Your Age is Appropriate For the Surgery

Most physicians do not recommend this type of surgery for children under 18 years of age, unless absolutely necessary. Also, the risks of the surgery increase for those past the age of 65 years.

About the Author: Val Deloitte has always had weight problems, and became obese by the time she was in her college years. After struggling with weight for years, she decided it was time to entertain the thought of bariatric surgery. After consulting with the Bay Surgical Specialists, she felt comfortable knowing that she was in good hands. They took the time to assess her situation before making a recommendation for weight loss surgery. If you’re considering bariatric surgery, visit BaySurgicalSpecialists.com today.

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