candidates
Bariatric surgery is not a quick fix. It's an ongoing journey toward transformingyour health through lifestyle changes. After surgery, you will feel satisfiedwith less food. Positive changes in your body, your weight, and your health willoccur if you maintain the diet and exercise routines recommended by your surgicalweight loss program.
Studies show that bariatric surgery can effectively improve and resolve manyweight-related health conditions.
A review of more that 22,000 bariatric surgerypatients showed:
- Improvement in or complete resolution of conditions including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea
- 61.2% reduction of excess weight
Is weight loss surgery right for you?
In general, candidates for weight losssurgery:
- Are at least 100 pounds overweight with a BMI of 40 or more
- Have a BMI of 35 or more with two or more major health concerns
- Are non-smokers and do not abuse alcohol or drugs
- Are 18-60 years of age
- Are committed to follow post-surgery guidelines
To qualify for bariatric surgery, you will have a series of tests with a bariatricsurgeon and will meet with a nutritionist, psychologist, and other support staffmembers. Each healthcare professional will help you prepare for the changes andchallenges that lie ahead.
If you are interested in bariatric surgery, we suggest that you:
- Understand the surgical process and what to expect afterward.
- Keep in mind that youll never be able to eat the way you did before, and that youll have to watch what and how you eat for the rest of your life.
- Talk to people who have had bariatric surgery.
- Write down your reasons for having bariatric surgery and outline your plans to maintain your weight loss after surgery.
- Practice the post-op diet, including the transition from an all-liquid diet, to pureed food, to a normal diet of smaller portions with 4 ounces of protein.
- Start a journal. Record how you feel now, the challenges you face, and the things you hope to be able to do after bariatric surgery.
- Ask your family and friends for their support. Talk to them about why you want to have bariatric surgery. It helps to have people behind you, waiting to help.
