Weight loss isn’t easy for everyone, and requires a lot of dedication, hard work, and determination no matter how much you weigh. To lose weight and keep it off long-term, you must make a series of healthy lifestyle changes; there is no easy, quick fix for weight loss. However, some individuals continue to experience problems with weight loss even after overhauling their entire lifestyles. Exercising regularly and consuming a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and other whole foods can help individuals become healthier, but some diseases and health conditions related to obesity can keep even the most health-savvy individuals from losing the needed amount of weight. In these instances, weight-loss surgery, or bariatric surgery, can help.
How can weight-loss surgery help?
Over time, obesity can trigger an array of health problems that often prevent individuals from being able to lose excess weight. Obesity can lead to problems with hormonal imbalance, lack of sleep, high blood pressure, arthritis and joint pain — all of which can prevent weight loss to a degree. Lack of sleep can contribute to hormonal imbalance and lack of energy, leading to poor food choices and difficulty with exercise, whereas arthritis and joint pain can also prevent people from moving around and being active. As a result, your body goes through a vicious cycle it otherwise wouldn’t be able to recover from without help in the form of weight-loss surgery.
Weight-loss surgery doesn’t result in overnight weight loss, but it does give your mind and body a jump-start on weight loss as long as you’re ready to commit to a healthier lifestyle. Depending on the type of bariatric surgery you have, your stomach will either be made smaller, or be restricted through adjustable gastric banding so you can have an easier time consuming smaller portion sizes and avoid overeating. Some forms of bariatric surgery, such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, also involves re-routing of the intestines so your body can absorb fewer calories.
How do I qualify for weight-loss surgery?
The qualifying factors for weight-loss surgery may differ slightly depending on your personal health history, and on the preferences of your bariatric surgeon or health care provider. However, the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery recommends that doctors adhere to the following qualifications when determining whether a patient qualifies for bariatric surgery:
If you are interested in weight loss surgery, check out MBL’s Ultimate Guide To Weight Loss surgery.
