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7 Signs You’re Ready for Bariatric Surgery by Val Deloitte

Author: Amitava Sarkar
by Amitava Sarkar
Posted: Jun 17, 2015

It’s no secret that obesity is running rampant in the US. There are always new fad diets, weight loss supplements, exercise trends, and ‘magic’ creams that promise to help people get rid of stubborn body fat. And while the health industry encourages people to exercise more and keep their diets restricted on a caloric basis, sometimes those who are obese need additional help to rid their bodies of excess fat.

For those who have struggled throughout their lives with diets and exercise regimes, only to have little to no success, weight loss surgery might be the solution. This surgery involves constricting the stomach so not as much food fits in there as before. In this way, the patient eats less, and therefore is able to maintain a calorie-restricted diet. In addition, the gut structure is altered, which prevents a certain amount of food from being absorbed in the body, thereby helping the patient lose weight.

As with any other surgery, careful considerations must be made. There are always risks associated with surgical procedures, so it’s immortal to take the time to assess your situation to see if bariatric surgery is right for you.

Here are 7 signs that you just might be ready for bariatric surgery.

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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Author: Amitava Sarkar

Amitava Sarkar

Member since: Nov 27, 2014
Published articles: 349

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