Weight Loss Solutions In Oregon: How To Know When Surgery Is Needed

When does the desire or need to lose weight reach the point where weight loss surgery becomes the best option? It is a question faced by thousands of people each year. Some lose weight but cannot keep it off, while others need a boost to get started because the amount of weight they need to lose seems overwhelming. Severe obesity can be a very challenging problem to treat because there are so many factors that can contribute to the condition. Many obese people are not aware that some of the symptoms they suffer are caused by their weight. Also, deciding between lap band surgery, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and other options can be confusing. With so many issues to address, where does one begin his or her journey to a healthier life?

There are clinical standards used as benchmarks for determining who may qualify for weight loss surgery. Researchers and surgeons use a measurement called the body mass index (BMI) to determine basic eligibility. The BMI is a relationship between weight and height associated with body fat and health risks that estimates the degree to which someone is over or underweight. An index of 40 or over is considered morbidly obese and may qualify a candidate for surgery. Some candidates who have a lower BMI with comorbidities, the presence of one or more disorders in addition to a primary disorder, may also qualify for surgery. Some examples of comorbid conditions associated with obesity include type 2 diabetes, heart disease and sleep apnea. A super-obese condition with a BMI over 55 may require weight loss before undergoing weight loss surgery. The severity of the health factors leading one into a high risk status may also disqualify that person for surgery until the risks are reduced.

For those who are clinically obese but have no comorbidities, a non-surgical option may be explored before exploring the possibility of surgery. A common qualification for surgery is that the candidate has been obese for at least three to five years and unsuccessful in losing weight for at least two years. And of course, he or she needs a motivated attitude because maintaining a healthy weight is a life-long commitment to change. The development of this lifestyle change is supported by a team of weight loss specialists including nutritionists, exercise physiologists and psychological counseling. They design nutrition, exercise and support plans suited to an individual’s needs.

Obesity is a chronic condition with many underlying factors and treating it takes a comprehensive approach. Bariatric surgery is just one component of that approach. Since there are many factors to consider when determining whether someone is a weight loss surgery candidate, it is important to seek the assistance of a bariatric surgeon. The surgeon provides an overall assessment of the patient’s condition to properly advise him or her of the available options. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is still considered the gold standard in bariatric procedures, while gastric sleeve has advantages of providing weight loss using restriction. Meanwhile, lap band surgery, also restrictive, still remains popular as a less invasive procedure with a quick recovery. There is usually a right choice specifically for one’s needs, and a bariatric surgeon can assist with making these decisions—from determining which health issues to focus on first to the type of surgery needed. A complicated disorder like obesity requires expert assistance, and no one should go the weight loss journey alone.