Weight loss surgery is a major operation and requires a lifelong commitment to weight loss through changes in diet, exercise and lifestyle. As such adecision to have bariatric surgery should not be taken lightly.
Weight loss surgery is not recommended for everyone. There are a number of criteria that your bariatric surgeon will assess before they recommend you forweight loss surgery.
These include:
1. Your BMI
Bariatric surgery is only recommended if you are seriously obese. BMI or Body Mass Indicator is the measure of body fat based on height and weight. BMI isused to gauge the severity of excess weight. Weight loss surgery would be advised if you have:
- a BMI of 40 or more
- a BMI between 35 to 40 and a health problem that could be improved if you lost weight. For example, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, severe problemswith your mobility, sleep apnoea (difficulties with breathing whilst asleep).
To find out what your BMI score is, please use our BMI calculator.
2. Your weight loss attempts
If your efforts to lose weight using traditional methods, such as diet and exercise, have been unsuccessful and you have failed to achieve or maintain abeneficial level of weight loss for at least 6 months. You may have already been treated by a specialist obesity team using non-surgical methods to tryto lose weight.
3. Your motivation
You are ready and agree to commit to a long-term healthy, active lifestyle after surgery with the support of your weight loss surgeon and their multidisciplinary team. You will need to make changes to your eating habits and your exercise routine to get the full benefits from the operation.
4. Your fitness
You are fit and healthy and without any medical conditions that could not withstand the anaesthetic (painkilling medication) or could make the operationdangerous for you. You also need to be fit enough to cope with recovering from surgery.
5. Your understanding
You should know about and understand your weight loss surgery options including their benefits and risks.
6. Your physical health
Weight loss surgery may not be recommended if you have a serious illness that would not be improved after the operation, such as advanced cancer or liverdisease.
7. Whether you have metabolic syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is the medical term for a combination of diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. It puts you at greater risk of heart disease, strokeand other conditions affecting blood vessels.
Metabolic surgery uses a set of bariatric operations to treat diabetes (diabetes surgery) and metabolicdysfunctions (which include obesity) ¹. It can dramatically improve or cure diabetes in some obese patients including a group that does not strictly meetthe criteria of morbid obesity.
Metabolic surgery can normalise blood glucose levels and allow for a discontinuation of insulin therapy. It is thought thatmetabolic surgery appears to cure diabetes, that has historically been considered chronic and irreversible, not simply by inducing weight loss, but throughdirect changes to the anatomy.
8. Your mental health
Weight loss surgery is also unlikely to be recommended if a mental health condition or other underlying factor means you would be unable to commit tolong-term follow-up and lifestyle changes. Examples include:
a) schizophrenia for which you are refusing to seek treatment
b) actively abusing alcohol or drugs
c) a previous history of not complying with medical recommendations about your care
Further information can be found through our blogs on our weight loss surgery section - including pros and cons of each weight loss surgery we offer and what to expect after the surgery.
About Ramsay Health Care Weight Loss Surgery
Ramsay Health Care is a leading provider of weight loss surgery in the UK. Ramsay works in partnership with some of the highest qualified and experienced weight loss surgeons in the UK. These consultant bariatric surgeons have undergone intensive training in their speciality and work in a multidisciplinary team with nutritionists, clinical behaviourists and physiotherapists to ensure you receive the best treatment for your individual needs.
The team will evaluate whether bariatric surgery is appropriate for you, assessing your individual physical and mental health and your drive to achieve your weight loss goals.
Ramsay offers weight loss procedures including gastric banding, sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass and gastric balloons. A comprehensive aftercare programme including diet, exercise and lifestyle assistance is available to support you throughout your weight loss journey.
Please contact us if you would like to discuss bariatric surgery in more detail.
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References
¹ http://www.bariatricnews.net