How to Know if You Qualify for Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery can help you get rid of excess weight and start a healthy lifestyle. The surgery entails either stapling a small area of the stomach or rearranging a portion of the small intestine so that food you eat bypasses a large section of intestine. Follow these steps to decide if you qualify for bariatric surgery.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Check your "Body Mass Index" (BMI). You qualify for bariatric surgery if your BMI is 40 or more. Men who are 100 lbs. overweight and women who are 80 lbs. overweight generally score a BMI that high.
2. Remember you can be a candidate for bariatric surgery even if your BMI is over 35, particularly if you're suffering from serious obesity-related issues like heart disease, type 2 diabetes or hypertension.
3. Remember, this surgery is right for you only if your obesity is not due to any other major disease that you might be suffering from.
4. Note that you must be emotionally and physically stable to handle the surgery. Most likely, you should not have any major diseases and should not be prone to depression. Remember, it takes time to recuperate from this surgery, both mentally and physically.
5. Do you have a history of substance abuse? If yes, then in all likelihood you don't qualify for bariatric surgery. Consult a doctor and discuss your case in detail.
6. Learn whether you need to alter your lifestyle before undergoing bariatric surgery. You may have to cut back or stop drinking alcohol as well as smoking in order to prepare yourself for both the surgery and recovery.
7. Are you prepared to make significant changes in your lifestyle after the surgery? You'll have to make substantial changes in your eating habits, maintain an exercise schedule and be monitored by doctors continually for a very long time.
8. Do you have realistic expectations from the surgery? You may not get the results you envision. Remember to discuss with your surgeon about how your physical appearance will change and whether you will be fine with that.
9. Consult a surgeon and discuss your medical history with them and let them make the final call. Also, clarify any doubts you might have about the surgery.

Tips & Warnings

• Gather information about different types of bariatric surgeries, including gastric bypass surgery and lap band surgery. Know about the procedure's precautions, recovery period, reversibility and cost. This will help you make the most informed decision.