If you have struggled to maintain a healthy body weight, you may have looked up weight loss surgery requirements. Although bariatric surgery may seem like the ideal solution, some are better candidates for other options available. Read on to learn more about the requirements and whether you may benefit from discussing surgery with your doctor.
The bariatric surgery requirements stipulate that you live with certain health conditions that increase your risk for severe disease or death. In addition to providing a detailed medical history, you will also need to take specific steps like ceasing smoking. Your medical history will help your doctor determine your overall candidacy for surgery.
A Body Mass Index, or BMI, over 40 is a sign of morbid obesity. When you are morbidly obese, you have a high risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. The weight loss that comes with bariatric surgery could save your life if you are morbidly obese.
If your BMI is 35 or greater, and you have Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure or severe sleep apnea, you may be a candidate for bariatric surgery. This is also considered morbid obesity. Losing weight can make a difference in your health and longevity.
Type 2 diabetes affects your body's production of insulin, a hormone that your body needs to process sugar properly. Your body will either not produce enough insulin or the insulin you make will not work well, a situation that worsens with excessive body weight. Diabetes, when not managed, can contribute to heart disease, kidney disease, nerve damage or eye conditions.
Heart disease includes a range of conditions that affect the heart, such as coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure. Many of these conditions increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. Excessive weight requires the heart to work harder, exuberating many of the symptoms.
High blood pressure may also occur with diabetes or heart disease. People living with high blood pressure may experience blood vessel damage over time that can cause a stroke, kidney disease or other conditions. Overweight patients with high blood pressure often have more severe symptoms.
Patients living with severe sleep apnea often have worse symptoms when living with obesity. Sleep apnea is disruptive to patients' sleep cycles and can lead to death in some cases. Obesity is a contributor to this condition.
Patients who want to meet bariatric surgery qualifications will do well to start preparing in advance of their surgery. Learning as much as possible about the procedure will help you be better prepared. Dietary changes, such as adding fresh produce and reducing processed foods, will help bring balance to your digestive system.
If you are ready and willing to make dietary changes, you will be a better candidate than someone unwilling to take these steps. Even though you will undergo this surgery once, you will need to get used to changes that will last for life. The preparation period involves dietary changes, and you will also need to change your eating habits after the surgery.
A healthy lifestyle is also something that you need to be comfortable with as a result of having this surgery. Eating healthier foods and getting sufficient exercise will help ensure you get the maximum benefit from having this surgery.
Who qualifies for bariatric surgery? If you have a high BMI and other health conditions, you may be a good candidate for this surgery. If you are considering the life-changing possibilities that come with bariatric surgery, you will benefit from the information available from the Bariatric Knowledge Center.
You will benefit from having access to information that will help you learn more about nutritional options before and after your surgery. Having bariatric surgery is life-changing, but the right tools will help you make the necessary changes more easily. The more you know about the changes involved with this surgery, the more likely you will benefit from going through with the procedure.
