Is Bariatric Surgery Right for You?
Being overweight is defined as weighing 10 to 20 pounds more than the recommended weight for your height. Obesity is often defined as being 20 to 30% over ideal body weight. Morbid obesity is a more severe form of obesity in which the person is 100 pounds or more overweight.
The National Institutes of Health recognizes obesity as a disease. Many medical problems are caused or made worse by obesity which can lead to more serious issues such as heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, and GERD.
The weight loss goal for most patients is 1-2 pounds per week which is equivalent to over 100 pounds in a year’s time. Before having any type of bariatric or weight loss surgery, certain qualifications must be met.
Some of the qualifications include:
- BMI of 40 or greater or BMI 35-40 with certain co-morbidities or medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and GERD.
- Obese for five or more years
- Age 18 or older
- Attend a Phoebe pre-surgery seminar
- Clearance by your primary care physician
- Have made serious attempts to lose weight in the past and have had only short-term success.
- You are willing, able, and prepared to make major changes in your eating habits and lifestyle.
- Do not drink or use drugs to excess.
Other qualifications may be required by your insurance company or requested by the surgeon, such as:
- Psychological evaluation
- Nutritional evaluation
- Supervised weight loss attempt
- Blood work to rule out untreated endocrine problems
Many insurance companies do pay for the surgery if all qualifications are met.
For more information or to find out if weight loss surgery is right for you, please call