Weight Loss Surgery Preparation
Meeting the Criteria for a Bariatric Surgical Procedure
Jul 19, 2009
Obesity is a major problem world wide but particularly in the USA, with Americans being some of the most overweight people in the world. The best way to lose weight is by eating a healthy calorie controlled diet and exercising, but for some people this is not enough and they need to consider other weight loss options.
In 2008, about 220,000 morbidly obese people in the USA had some kind of weight loss surgery performed, according to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Weight loss surgery or bariatric surgery, refers to the type of procedure done on the digestive system, that limits the amount of food that the stomach can hold and/or digest.
Two of the most common types of weight loss surgery are a gastric bypass and gastric banding. Extensive screening and preparation of a potential candidate takes place prior to any weight loss surgery. This will ensure the best chance of success post surgery and to decrease the likelihood of complications arising.
Candidate Requirements for Weight Loss Surgery
Weight loss surgery may be recommended for those that are severely overweight, where the risks of the surgery are outweighed by the benefits of the procedure. Candidates will be considered if losing weight through healthy eating and exercising has proved unsuccessful. All other avenues to losing weight should have been exhausted, such as group classes, counseling, food journals, exercising and calorie controlled diets.
The body mass index (BMI) should be 40 or more, or a BMI of 35 with other weight related issues such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension or sleep apnea. BMI can be calculated at the National Heart Lung and Blood Institutes website. Men should usually be 100 pounds or more overweight and women usually 80 pounds or over.
Candidate Preparation for Weight Loss Surgery
Many months before the weight loss surgery can take place, the candidate may be required to see a number of health care professionals for evaluation and treatment, especially if there are other health issues involved besides obesity. Appointments with a nutritionist may be required to lose weight before the surgery, to demonstrate a commitment to the program and also to prepare for dietary changes that will be required post surgery, such as only eating small meals and the importance of chewing food very well.
A doctor will perform a full physical examination to ensure that he or she will be able to withstand the operation. A mental health assessment may also be sought, to ensure that the candidate is psychologically ready for a life changing procedure. The surgery may be postponed at any time if a doctor decides that a candidate is not physically or mentally prepared for the surgery.
Candidate Preparation for Post Surgery Success
A weight loss surgery candidate must be ready to make a commitment following surgery, to a lifetime of healthy eating and regular exercise. He or she should demonstrate a willingness to lose weight, reach the goal weight and to maintain it. Every effort should be made to start this, even before the surgery is scheduled.
A doctor will counsel the candidate extensively to understand that his or her life will be changed completely by the surgery; there will be a need for an ongoing regime of vitamin supplements and long term, frequent medical follow ups. The candidate should also be advised that the surgery is not guaranteed to be successful, that sometimes these procedures fail to work in about 1 in every 400 cases.
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