If you are asking yourself the question, “Is weight loss surgery right for me?” then you are probably concerned about your health and as well as some of the other effects obesity can have on your life, including:
- Depression
- Discrimination
- Isolation
- Poor self-image
We live in a one-size-fits-all world, and you may feel like you don’t fit in. You’re not alone. In the U.S., more than two-thirds of adults are considered overweight or obese.
You’ve probably heard one or two amazing gastric sleeve success stories or a long list of LapBand benefits. However, if you are considering your weight loss surgery options, it is important to know that medical weight loss solutions are not right for everyone. Surgery should always be a last resort. The first step in finding the answer to “Is weight loss surgery right for me?” is your answer to the following questions.
Have you explored all other treatments?
In general, gastric bypass and other medical weight loss solutions may be be an option for you if your efforts to lose weight through diet and exercise have been unsuccessful, if your body mass index is 40 or higher, or if your BMI is 35 to 39.9 and you have a serious weight-related health problem like diabetes or high blood pressure.
Additionally, many insurance companies will not cover bariatric surgery unless you have already gone through a medically supervised weight loss program.
Are your expectations realistic?
Before going into surgery, it is important to have a solid understanding of the changes you will experience after the procedure. Here are some challenges patients face post-surgery:
- Medical weight loss is not an easy process. You will need to maintain a strict diet and exercise program to see continued results. This will be a lifelong commitment.
- You will not experience immediate results. You may not hit your ideal weight until one to three years after surgery.
- Though bariatric surgery has become safer over the past few years, you should still review the possible risks and complications.
- Relationships with friends and family members may change.
- Unhealthy cravings may not go away, so the temptation to continue bad eating habits may stick around. Fortunately, many types of weight loss surgery restrict how much food you can physically eat in one sitting.
Are you willing to do whatever it takes to succeed?
Contrary to popular belief, medical weight loss solutions like bariatric surgery are not the “easy way out.” Dedication to the many life changes required for success can be extremely difficult, and you need to be prepared to do a lot of hard work.
So, after thinking through the questions above, come back to one that lead you here–
Is weight loss surgery right for me? If the answer is ‘yes’, talk to your friends, family, and your doctor about your goals and options and make sure you have a strong support system before moving forward. Then, schedule your consultation with one of our doctors.
