How to Decide if Weight Loss Surgery is Right for You

Thinking about weight loss surgery? You are likely worried about the risks of weight loss surgery. But morbid obesity also poses risks. Morbid obesity is a serious health disorder that increases a person’s risk of developing cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Morbid obesity often brings on emotional risks as well. Finding a good job, making new friends, and maneuvering through public places can be emotionally upsetting for a person suffering from morbid obesity. If all the usual diet and exercise programs have failed you, then it’s time to decide if weight loss surgery is the right option.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. First, how much weight do you really need to lose to be healthy? If you haven’t been to see a doctor since you’ve gained the extra weight, now’s a good time to go for a health check-up. If you know your weight, you can tell whether it’s in the morbid obesity range by figuring out your body mass index (BMI). A link to an online body mass index calculator can be found in the Resources area. To qualify for weight loss surgery, your BMI should be at least 40. An exception to this rule is if you have serious health condition related to obesity.

2. Weight loss surgery, also referred to as bariatric surgery, brings a risk of death. One in 200 patients dies, either while on the operating table or from complications later on after the surgery. Before you say no to weight loss surgery, remember that any type of surgery is going to be riskier for those with morbid obesity.

3. Roughly 5% of weight loss surgery patients go through all that trouble only to gain all the pounds back later on. Even more will gain at least some of the weight back. Weight loss surgery is not a cure-all for a poor diet or inactivity. You still need to eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly in order to lose weight and keep it off. Are you willing to make that commitment? And, if so, why aren’t you dieting and exercising right now?

4. If you are set on giving weight loss surgery a try, consider the choices. You can have gastric bypass surgery or gastric banding. There are different techniques to doing gastric bypass surgery, and your surgeon will explain the pros and cons of each. With gastric banding (commonly referred to as a “lap band”), patient recovery is faster, but weight loss is significantly slower. The pounds that a gastric bypass patient typically loses in one year may take five years to lose with gastric banding. Talk with a dietitian familiar with the effects of these weight loss surgeries to get a clearer picture of what to expect after having bariatric surgery.

Resources

• Body Mass Index Calculator
• Council on Size & Weight Discrimination
• Bariatric Surgery Clinical Research Consortium

[poetkelly]

on 11/18/2009 People should also be aware that there are other types of surgery besides gastric banding and gastric bypass, such as vertical sleeve gastrectomy and duodenal switch.

[luv2blog]

on 12/20/2008 Great tip on deciding if one should have weight loss surgery.

[Thims]

on 12/18/2008 It's my contention only people who actually have a physical problem and can't lose weight should consider this option. Otherwise, starting a little exercise program (NO MATTER HOW SMALL) will help you get started
to maintaining a healthy weight. Great, informative article.