Weight loss surgery is an operation to change the shape and function of your digestive system. This surgery can help you lose weight and manage medical conditions associated with obesity. These conditions include diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, and other risk factors for heart disease and stroke.
This weight reduction surgery is known as bariatric surgery. There are various surgical procedures, all of which help you lose weight by limiting the amount of food you can eat. Some procedures also limit the number of nutrients you can absorb.
In the U.S., the most common weight-loss surgery is a sleeve gastrectomy. In this procedure, the surgeon removes a large portion of the stomach to create a tube-like casing.
Weight loss surgery is only one part of the entire treatment plan. Your treatment also includes guidelines on nutrition, exercise, and mental health care. You must be willing to follow this long-term plan to achieve your weight loss goals.
If you are considering weight loss surgery, you should meet with a number of specialists who will help you decide whether weight loss surgery is an option for you.
Common medical guidelines for weight loss surgery are based on body mass index (BMI). BMI is a formula that uses your weight and height to estimate your body fat. Weight-loss surgery is an option for adults with a BMI of 40 or higher.
Surgery may also be an option for adults who meet three of the following conditions:
- BMI 35 or above
- At least one medical condition linked to obesity
- At least six months of supervised weight loss attempts
- In some cases, weight loss surgery may be an option for adolescents. These guidelines cover:
1. BMI of 40 or higher and any medical condition related to obesity
2. A BMI of 35 or higher and a severe medical condition related to obesity
Instead of using these BMI numbers as a guide for surgery, surgeons can use growth charts for adolescents. This chart shows standard BMI ranges for each age. Surgeons may recommend the procedure based on how much the teen's BMI is above the standard BMI range.
Depending on the type or severity of an obesity-related illness, some adults with a low BMI may be able to undergo weight loss surgery.
How do You Know if You are Ready for Weight Loss Surgery?
If you are considering weight loss surgery, you will meet with a healthcare team that may include the following:
Surgeons, primary care doctors, anesthetists, dieticians,
Psychologists, and other Specialists depending on your medical condition.
Your team members will describe what to expect before and after the procedure. They will evaluate whether you are ready for weight loss surgery and help you decide whether it is an option for you. They may identify a problem to address — medical, behavioral, or psychological — before you're ready for surgery.
Medical Problem
You will undergo medical examinations to diagnose an unknown obesity-related condition. Your doctor will also test for problems that could make the operation more complicated. You may have tests for:
Cardiovascular disease Sleep apnea Liver disease Kidney disease
You may not be able to have surgery if you have any of the following conditions:
1. Severe heart disease which prohibits the use of safe anesthetics
2. Blood coagulation disorder
3. Other conditions that increase the risk of anesthetic use
Behavior and Mental Health
Weight loss after surgery depends on your ability to change your eating and exercise habits. Also, being in good mental health is important for following your treatment plan demands. Your team's goal should be to identify psychological or behavioral risk factors, address any concerns, and decide if you are ready for surgery.
Your healthcare team will talk to you about the following:
- Motivation.
Are you motivated to embrace lifestyle changes, set goals and educate yourself on healthy nutrition?
Your team will track your ability to keep up with the recommended changes to your diet and exercise routine.
- History of Weight Loss.
What diet and exercise plans have you used to lose weight in the past? Did you lose weight or gain weight?
A pattern of weight loss and weight gain can help your team understand the challenges for you and recommend strategies for post-surgery planning.
- Eating Behavior.
Disorganized eating behavior or eating disorders can lead to obesity. This includes binge eating, dinner and unplanned grazing between meals. Some eating disorders are linked to other mood disorders and other mental health conditions.
- Mood Disturbances.
Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or other mood disorders are related to obesity, and these conditions may make it difficult for you to control your weight. Also, people with untreated mood disorders often find it hard to stick with their new diet and exercise habits after surgery.
- Use of Alcohol and Drugs.
Problems with alcohol or drug use, as well as smoking, are linked to poor weight loss and substance use problems after surgery. Untreated or unmanaged problems are likely to prohibit weight loss surgery options.
Is Bariatric Surgery Right for You?
A team of doctors, nurses and other specialists can help you determine if this is the right choice for you.
The process the healthcare team uses to determine if you are ready for weight loss surgery is also there to help you make an informed decision. You will need to weigh the benefits and risks, follow through with pre-surgery and post-surgery plans, and make a lifelong commitment to a new program of nutrition and exercise.