Tips for Deciding if Bariatric Surgery is the Right Choice
Making the decision to undergo bariatric surgery to promote weight loss is not easy. After all, many people see this type of procedure as “elective” and an admission of “failure.”
Don’t listen to those people! Weight loss surgery is a very viable option for some people who have struggled long and hard to lose weight. This more or less permanent solution can help shed pounds while dramatically lowering risk for the development of a host of potential health concerns. Since obesity has been strongly linked to diabetes, heart disease, certain types of cancer and other conditions, sometimes it just makes good sense to take more drastic actions to address weight.
So, how can you tell if bariatric surgery is a good option to consider? Here are some tips:
• Find out your BMI – That stands for body mass index. When it’s 30 or higher, a person is considered overweight. Those with a BMI of 35 to 40 might find themselves candidates for surgery as their weight has reached a level that is considered medically dangerous.
• Medical problems are already present – If BMI is high and conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea or high blood pressure are present, weight loss surgery might be indicated to assist. Losing weight, regardless, can often help with these conditions.
• Proven difficulty in losing weight – Even bariatric surgeons will tell patients surgery is not a first resort. Those who are ideal candidates for procedures, such as gastric bypasses, have tried other options and exhausted them.
No surgery should be undertaken without carefully exploring all the potential pros and cons. To find out more about bariatric surgery, be sure to consult with your health care provider. Keep in mind that there are a variety of surgical options available, including those that are minimally invasive.
Don’t listen to those people! Weight loss surgery is a very viable option for some people who have struggled long and hard to lose weight. This more or less permanent solution can help shed pounds while dramatically lowering risk for the development of a host of potential health concerns. Since obesity has been strongly linked to diabetes, heart disease, certain types of cancer and other conditions, sometimes it just makes good sense to take more drastic actions to address weight.
So, how can you tell if bariatric surgery is a good option to consider? Here are some tips:
• Find out your BMI – That stands for body mass index. When it’s 30 or higher, a person is considered overweight. Those with a BMI of 35 to 40 might find themselves candidates for surgery as their weight has reached a level that is considered medically dangerous.
• Medical problems are already present – If BMI is high and conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea or high blood pressure are present, weight loss surgery might be indicated to assist. Losing weight, regardless, can often help with these conditions.
• Proven difficulty in losing weight – Even bariatric surgeons will tell patients surgery is not a first resort. Those who are ideal candidates for procedures, such as gastric bypasses, have tried other options and exhausted them.
No surgery should be undertaken without carefully exploring all the potential pros and cons. To find out more about bariatric surgery, be sure to consult with your health care provider. Keep in mind that there are a variety of surgical options available, including those that are minimally invasive.
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