Atrium Health Navicent Weight Management

Is Bariatric Surgery Right for you

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The Pressing Question: Is Bariatric Surgery Right for You?

Bariatric surgery is a treatment option that is appropriate for many people who are obese. This surgery can help individuals who are unable to lose weight via other methods such as regular exercise and a healthy diet. It can also help people who suffer from serious medical ailments that are triggered by excessive body weight. If you are obese and unhappy, you may ask yourself repeatedly if bariatric surgery is right for you. The truth is that the answer depends on a number of specific considerations. Bariatric surgery can be beneficial for many people, but all individuals are different. If it is a good option for you, it may be able to minimize medical problems you have that are connected to your weight. These could include high blood pressure (also known as hypertension), type 2 diabetes, and sleep apnea and cholesterol issues.

Suitable Bariatric Surgery Candidates

Only a doctor can tell you whether bariatric surgery is right for you. Set up an appointment with a doctor you trust to determine whether you are a suitable candidate for this weight loss procedure. If your BMI (body mass index) surpasses 40, bariatric surgery may be a good path for you. You may not have to have a BMI that is higher than 40 to be eligible for this surgery, however. Some people are suited to bariatric surgery if they have BMIs of a minimum of 35. This is generally only the case when they have major medical concerns, however. Examples of these medical concerns are heart disease and type 2 diabetes. It is not even unheard of to encounter people with BMIs of just 30 who are good candidate's bariatric surgery. These people are typically only suited to gastric banding surgery.

Ask Yourself All the Appropriate Questions

BMI and health conditions are not the only things that can determine successfully if bariatric surgery is right for a certain individual. If you are wondering whether bariatric surgery is right for you, you should make a point to pose all of the appropriate questions. Be as honest with yourself as possible. Ask yourself if you have been unsuccessful with your weight loss attempts in spite of making serious lifestyle adjustments. If you have truly committed yourself to eating right and exercising on a regular basis and still have not been able to shed the pounds you need, bariatric surgery may be a smart route for you. You should also ask yourself if you understand exactly what bariatric surgery entails. This is a major surgical procedure. Like other surgeries, it is attached to potential complications and risks. Talk to a doctor to make sure you fully grasp all of the ins and outs of bariatric surgery. It is also crucial to be aware of adjustments you will need to make post-operation. People who have bariatric surgery have to alter their exercise and diet habits afterward. They also have to be 100 percent devoted to frequent exercise and to following well-rounded diet plans for life.

Take Note of Potential Side Effects

Bariatric surgery is similar to most other procedures out there in that it comes with the possibility of side effects that may be uncomfortable and unpleasant. If you want to know if bariatric surgery is right for you, you have to make sure you can accept the idea of possible side effects. Some of the side effects that are associated with bariatric surgery are an infection, bleeding, diarrhea, leakage (this comes from the small intestine and stomach stapling spots) and blood clots. Although it is not at all common, surgery can bring on complications that can occasionally even be fatal to some. Some people who receive bariatric surgery can experience delayed side effects, too. If your body develops a problem taking nutrients in successfully, you could get osteoporosis or anemia. If you lose weight quickly, you could get gallstones, too. Gallstones are tough deposits that occur within the gallbladder. They consist of digestive fluid. If you are uncertain about bariatric surgery and want to figure out if, it is right for you and for your lifestyle, to have to have a lot of knowledge regarding the topic. Bariatric surgery can be a major life transition for many people who experience it.

Choices in Bariatric Surgery

It is important for people to know that bariatric surgery is not the name for one specific kind of surgical procedure. It is an umbrella term that describes numerous different surgeries. Every individual is evaluated to find the most appropriate procedure for them. It is not a one procedure fits all. They are all different. Gastric bypass surgery is a particularly popular treatment option for patients located in the United States. People often opt for this surgery because of its lower odds of complications and difficulties. That does not mean, however, that gastric bypass surgery is devoid of possible risks. Risks are possible with all varieties of surgery. People have to understand, too, that bariatric surgery does not work like magic. People who get this surgery have to be dedicated to routine exercise and to good eating habits. If they are not, they will not be able to reap the benefits of the procedure. Failing to get physical activity and to eat well can often lead to weight coming back on slowly but surely.

Talk to a Doctor in Advance

If you are serious about weight loss, getting healthy and feeling great about yourself, it is time to schedule a consultation with a doctor. A knowledgeable doctor will be able to assess your situation and figure out if you are a strong bariatric surgery candidate.